ITV

Tag: artisans

  • Jaipur Rugs rolls iconic Shyam Ahuja brand within its fold

    Jaipur Rugs rolls iconic Shyam Ahuja brand within its fold

    MUMBAI: It’s laying it on pretty  thick. Handmade luxury carpets maker Jaipur Rugs has bought over the iconic Shyam Ahuja brand in a move to revive its legacy as a global luxury name. This acquisition includes Shyam Ahuja’s personal collection and design archive, marking a strategic step for Jaipur Rugs to expand its influence in the premium rug market. Details of the transaction are not available, but estimates are that the value is in double digit crore. 

    Founded in 1963, Shyam Ahuja revolutionised Indian dhurries, introducing the flatwoven rugs to international markets and earning acclaim among A-list designers and global icons like Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis and Gianni Versace. Known for its timeless designs, superior craftsmanship, and sophisticated use of colour, the brand became synonymous with understated elegance and quiet luxury. The brand was a big spender in print, especially publications, which reached out to the diaspora or international travellers. Many of the inflight magazines were their preferred partners. 

    Jaipur Rugs intends to honour the original vision of Shyam Ahuja while elevating its status on the global stage, according to its director Yogesh Chaudhary. Both Jaipur Rugs and Shyam Ahuja share a commitment to empowering artisans.

    Founded in 1978 by Nand Kishore Chaudhary,  who has even been labelled as the Gandhi of the carpet industry, Jaipur Rugs is India’s largest handmade carpet manufacturer, with over 40,000 artisans across 650 villages, 85 per cent  of whom are women. The company operates in 85 countries and has expanded to international showrooms in Milan, London, Singapore, and Dubai.

    Jaipur Rugs  artistic director Greg Foster  called the acquisition “a sleeping beauty we intend to revive with great respect,” citing the immense design archive and the brand’s cult status among collectors.
    The company plans to operate Shyam Ahuja as an independent entity with a distinct supply chain while continuing its retail presence through showrooms in India and globally. Further plans for the brand’s revival will be unveiled soon, promising to re-establish Shyam Ahuja’s position as a pioneer in luxury rugs.

    (Picture source: Jaipur Rugs website)

  • Fabindia collabs with MoMSME to empower India’s artisanal heritage

    Fabindia collabs with MoMSME to empower India’s artisanal heritage

    Mumbai: Lifestyle brand – Fabindia has announced its strategic collaboration with the ministry of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MoMSME) under the central government’s PM Vishwakarma Scheme, which was launched on 17 September 2023. This initiative is aimed at supporting India’s traditional artisans, including potters, carpenters, boat makers, weavers, armourers, blacksmiths, masons, goldsmiths, locksmiths, sculptors, stone breakers, hammer and tool kit makers, cobblers, shoesmiths, tailors, doll and toy makers, barbers, garland makers, and other skilled craftsmen, by promoting their products and expanding their market reach.

    The PM Vishwakarma Scheme, a visionary program initiated by the Government of India, seeks to empower traditional artisans across the country by providing them with financial support, skill development, and marketing assistance. The collaboration between Fabindia and MoMSME is focused on enhancing the marketing development activities of artisans registered under the PM Vishwakarma scheme, enabling them to showcase their craftsmanship to a wider audience and boost their livelihoods.

    Key objectives of the collaboration:

    . Market integration: Fabindia will integrate artisan-made products into its retail network, offering them a platform to showcase and sell their goods across markets.

    . Capacity building: Through training and skill development programs, Fabindia will assist artisans in honing their craftsmanship while incorporating modern design trends and technology to increase the commercial appeal of their products.

    . Branding & promotion: Fabindia, with its robust marketing channels, will actively promote the products created by these artisans both online and offline, ensuring greater visibility and demand for authentic, handmade Indian crafts.

    . Sustainability and preservation of traditional crafts: The partnership reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to preservation and fostering a deep appreciation for India’s rich cultural heritage and its contribution towards artisans.

    Commenting on the collaboration MoMSME and Fabindia Ltd said, “The initiative is committed to preserving and promoting Indian craftsmanship and artisans by providing them with the tools, training, and platform they need to thrive in the modern marketplace. With this collaboration we are sure that it will not only empower artisans but also ensure their crafts receive the recognition and market access they deserve.”

    The partnership is expected to create a significant impact on the lives of artisans, helping them achieve market access and recognition for their work. Fabindia invites consumers and industry leaders to support this initiative by embracing products crafted by artisans and contributing to the growth of India’s artisanal heritage.

  • Shopmatic disrupts India’s ecommerce space; makes its platform available for SMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs at an annual cost of Rs 50 only

    Shopmatic disrupts India’s ecommerce space; makes its platform available for SMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs at an annual cost of Rs 50 only

    MUMBAI: In a move that will transform the e-commerce landscape in India, international e-commerce company Shopmatic is making its platform available for SMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs at the cost of only Rs 50 for 1 year. Customers can unlock the power-packed features of the Shopmatic platform to set up and manage their online store and only pay 3% when they make a successful sale. Shopmatic recognises that to leverage the opportunities from ecommerce, SMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs should have the freedom to make use of a comprehensive platform without the burden of an upfront investment or committed fees, and has launched this disruptive offering. 

    Despite e-commerce being the sunrise sector in India, not all SMBs, hobbyists, craftspersons, artisans and businesses have embraced the e-commerce route because of the upfront investment required and the perception that setting up an ecommerce business is difficult. Moreover, businesses are unsure if they would even be successful, after paying significant fees to website developers or ecommerce platform providers.

    Shopmatic addresses these pain points with this launch; going online is no longer difficult with Shopmatic as businesses can download the Shopmatic App or sign up for a Shopmatic account via a computer, tablet or any device they are comfortable with,  and create an ecommerce store in a matter of minutes. Moreover,Shopmatic’s pricing plans are now, aligned to the customers’ success: merchants pay only 3%  as transaction fee when they make a successful sale and just Rs. 50 as hosting fees, at the end of 12 months. 

    Commenting on the latest disruption, Anurag Avula, Co-Founder & CEO, Shopmatic, said “Shopmatic has always been focussed on enabling a successful ecommerce business for its customers. This launch further reaffirms Shopmatic’s commitment towards its customers. We will continue to invest in new capabilities and support our customers in their ecommerce journey. We have eliminated the barriers for anyone wanting to sell online thus by taking away the hurdles of price and device accessibility. By leveraging the smartphone penetration in the country and coupling that with our pricing flexibility, we intend to bring 500,000 customers into the ecommerce ecosystem in the next 12 months. “

    Shopmatic has helped over 50,000 sellers establish a thriving online business by offering easy-to-use, power-packed tools and functionality. With this latest game-changing initiative, Shopmatic aims to enable every Indian business to unlock its e-commerce potential. With the annual hosting fee of only Rs 50 and 3% transactional charge on every successful transaction, aspiring online entrepreneurs will have at their disposal the entire ecosystem to sell online: a powerfully customizable store builder, payment gateway  &  shipping integration, social media channel listing, listing on Shopmatic World,  chat enablement on store, data insights, and several promotional tools.

  • Wayne Carini returns on Discovery Turbo with classic cars

    Wayne Carini returns on Discovery Turbo with classic cars

    MUMBAI: Discovery Turbo is lifting the hood on season six of the network’s signature series Chasing Classic Cars. Wayne Carini, host and legendary collector car archeologist, once again leads viewers into the exclusive world of high-end automobile collection where he finds, buys, restores and sells some of the finest, rarest vehicles ever made.

     

    The series will kick off on 2 December and will air every Monday at 9 pm.

     

    In the latest season, Wayne will pursue one-of-a-kind autos in secret stashes–homes, garages and barns–throughout America. He will also meet with some of the most respected collectors, restorers and artisans to bring viewers deeper into the elite inner circle of the classic car expert. From an iconic Mercedes Gullwing valued just shy of a cool million, to a duo of silky customs from legendary hot rodder Boyd Codington, to an affair with a collection of vintage motorcycles, this season has something for everyone.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, Senior Vice President and General Manager – South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan-Regional Ad Sales and Southeast Asia Rahul Johri said, “Discovery Turbo brings for its viewers the most extraordinary and rare vehicles they love to watch. They appreciate Wayne’s exceptional knowledge of these vehicles in addition to his passion for everything on wheels. It’s this combination that makes Chasing Classic Cars one of Discovery Turbo’s most cherished series.”