The other day I went shopping for an aubergine leather trench coat, and the next question asked to me, are you on a Europe tour. Such is the existence of leather garments in India that it accounts for a fraction nearing zero of the entire fashion buisness. Fashionfad.in goes hunting for the demand and supply confusion working in the domestic high fashion leather garment industry.

 

Leather wear in India is basically for export, though a very small quantity is available in the local market mainly in the north where the weather is conducive despite being the second largest exporter of leather garments to the world with an annual production of over 16 million pieces and a share of 12.9 percent, as per the latest data avilable at the Council for Leather Exports India. Fashion in India has been reaching new heights bridging the gaps of globalisation with every passing season. There has been a phenomenal increase in the number of designers, fashion weeks and fashion houses over the last decade, India also witnessed the successful landing of designers like Armani, Gucci, and Prada against rumours of not being graduate enough to sustain these high end expensive labels. Yet when we come to think of leather garments there is an unjustified void in the domestic market.

 

The Exporter point of view for the entire story summarizes as we talk to some of the giants in leather garment and accessories, who report a lack in market demand being the reason for the not so flourishing conditions of the industry in India. Ramesh Ramiah, GM, Ultima Italia, S.R.L, Italy (Subsidiary of Bhartia International India Ltd. India), who supplies an approx of 14 percent of leather garments of his total exports says, “Indian market is yet to evolve in fashion leather apparel. Leather jackets in India are still perceived as something to shield oneself from cold. You might be able to sell a few garments in Delhi or Mumbai – but that’s it. Secondly, it is an expensive product and people will not buy something if they really do not feel for it. Global demand for leather garments has increased substantially in the past 2 years due to the fact that all high end fashion labels have included leather apparels in their collection, whereas the domestic consumption of leather garments is around 0.01% – negligible”.

 

Similar feelings are also shared by Anoop Singh Rana, R&D Head, Kabir Leathers, as they carve the high fashion delight in leather garments for international brands like Max Mara, Armani with their luxurious jackets, overcoats, waistcoats etc. Kabir Leathers also retails through a domestic brand Poems in India which houses leather accessories like bags, wallets, belts, etc. but none from their leather garment treasure. He says, “India with restricted winters of two to three months and bounded only to the northern region does not welcome leather garments. The climatic conditions and the expensive nature of leather have not allowed us to forsee any demand for high end fashion leather garments.”

 

Existing domestic market of leather is provided a little teaser of high fashion through brands like Da Milano and Hi Design with a platter of super luxurious range of travel bags, wallets, belts and other accessories. Though they had forayed into the market with a fractional percentage of basic leather jackets but could not create a sustainable demand for it.

 

The twist comes as we speak to Aditi Wasan, who has recently launched her line of exquisitely designed leather jackets at Samsaara. Aditi belongs to the Wasans Group, one of the leading exporters of leather in India. “Today the Indian consumer is ready to spend on a high fashion article and their purchasing choice does not depend on price or limited weather condition of the products exposure. I am testing my grounds in the domestic market and so far the response has been very appreciable. People are also looking for varieties like pencil skirts, waist-coats and pants”, says Aditi. But she also agrees that the demand is absolutely in the niche market, the consumer who is well travelled, is breaking away from the basic browns and blacks, walks in the store to pick up the aubergine and green leather.

 

Henceforth, the leather garments fashion is open to decipher the true nature of demand in India and it is for the Indian designers to have a look at the void in this segment of fashion. So that the next time we set out shopping for leather waistcoats we don’t have to fly but the growing design fraternity takes care of our fashion essentials or rather luxury.