Brands may scream luxury based on their foreign names and marketing skills, but these brands need to be recognised as their own and not based on some superficial impression. Indian Brands have successfully made their presence felt in the international market for their quality, innovation and unique styles. These brands may not even be recognised as Indian brands by our own Indian Citizens. As a result, it’s high time that these Indian Luxury Brands are recognized for their originality, because as the saying goes ‘DIL HAI HINDUSTANI” the same feeling should emerge from oneself when they look at an Indian Brands known for their remarkable achievements worldwide. Thus, let’s clear up the misconception and have a look at some of the Indian Brands that are labeled foreign but are not!
Why Are Indian Brands Making A Strong Presence Globally?
Indian Luxury brands are increasingly making a strong impact in the global market due to their commitment to quality craftsmanship, rich cultural heritage, and innovative designs that blend tradition with modernity. These brands appeal to international consumers seeking exclusivity and unique aesthetics. Global exposure through digital platforms, strategic marketing efforts, and collaborations with influencers and celebrities has enhanced their visibility and appeal. Additionally, India’s economic growth has resulted in a growing affluent class, both domestically and internationally, further supporting the expansion of Indian luxury brands into global markets.
List of Indian Brands That Appear Foreign:
1. Louis Philippe:
Louis Philippe was established in India in 1989 under the stewardship of Madura Fashion and Lifestyle, a division of the Aditya Birla Group, led by Deepanshu Ranka and Saksham Jain. Renowned for its luxurious men’s apparel and accessories, the brand designs and markets a wide array of formal and semi-formal clothing domestically and internationally. With over 300 stores in India and more than 1000 globally, Louis Philippe has achieved significant milestones, including its Fashion Craft Ltd. manufacturing facility being awarded the TRUE Zero Waste Gold certification, a first in India and second worldwide. The brand has introduced innovations such as the Permapress wrinkle-free shirts, the Gods and Kings line using premium cotton fabrics, and the Perfect Shirt redefining formal wear. Known for its distinctive crest logo symbolizing fine taste and living, Louis Philippe has expanded from shirts into trousers, suits, and is eyeing growth in T-shirts and winter wear. Additionally, it also caters to other men’s accessories like ties, belts, socks, and cufflinks.
2. Allen Solly:
Allen Solly, originally founded in 1744 by William Hollin and Co Ltd, was acquired by Madura Garments in the 1990s. Subsequently, Aditya Birla group acquired Madura Garments in 2000, marking its entry into branded garments. Allen Solly is credited with revolutionizing formal wear in India through the introduction of “Friday Dressing,” promoting a more relaxed dress code in workplaces on Fridays. Known for its innovative marketing campaigns like “My World, My Way,” which celebrates individuality through clothing choices, Allen Solly has also addressed market needs by launching exclusive women’s wear, including different sizes of trousers. The brand has garnered accolades in both men’s and women’s wear categories and achieved an online revenue of US$23.1 million in the fiscal year 2022.
3. Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo was founded in 1984 in Ludhiana, India. Their founder is Oswal Woolen Mills Ltd. They were known for their winter wear and now the brand specializes in cotton clothes and has a collection of sweaters, jackets and t-shirts. Their brand values stand for commitment, ownership, integrity and nurturance. Monte Carlo Fashion Limited has worked in establishing research and development activities and has imported machines from countries such as Italy, Japan, UK and Germany. They have 26+ Designers and around 1K to 5K employees globally. The brand has different ranges of products namely based on collections named Tweens for kids, Cloak And Decker for mens sweaters and cardigans, platine for premium range mens wear, alpha for women and RockIt a sportswear brand that offers t-shirts,polo,shorts and track pants. Known for their woolen clothes the collection itself has developed from pure wool such as Australian Merino Wool and approved by the International Wool Secretariat Group. Celebrities and models have started their fashion careers and modeling with Monte Carlo like Andre Russell, Arjun Rampal, Bipasha Basu, Raveena Tandon, etc. Monte Carlo Clothing brand also partners clothes for movies. They have partnered for films in the Bollywood industry like Mary Kom, Bhaag Milka Bhaag, Student of the year and more.
4. La Opala:
La Opala glass private limited, known as La Opala is a leading manufacturer of glass tableware in India. It was incorporated in 1987 and has a presence for 30+ countries. It pioneered opal glass technology in India by stepping up the first opal glass plant at Madhupur, Bihar. It is recognized for its innovative designs and high quality manufacturing standard. They offer a range of products like dinner sets, plates, bowls, cups, saucers, dishes and more. They are available in various designs and colors catering to different tastes and preferences. In 1996 it launched India’s first 24% lead crystal glassware under the name of Solitaire. The Company’s Chairman, Shri Sushil Kuman Jhunjhunwala was presented with the Business Lifetime Achievement Award in the year 2023 from Sanmarg, the leading Hindi Newspaper Publication. With a revenue range of 100 to 300 crores, it has also received the prestigious Economic Times Bengal Corporate Award for best financial performance.
5. Van Heusen
Van Heusen was introduced in India in 1990 by MaduraFashion & Lifestyle. Part of the Aditya Birla Group. The brand is a luxury brand known for their formal wear and a very classy business casual clothing for men and women, including a list of categories like shirts, trousers, suits and accessories. Van Heusen was initially positioned as a premium and fashionable men’s wear brand targeted at young office goers or as fashion for the corporate world. Their shirts were marketed as having a Classic British Corporal look. The brand has more than 300 stores all around the world in over 70 countries and in five continents. The ‘Everyday Couture’ collection of womenswear is designed to allow a working woman the flexibility to appear attractive. In 2010, the brand announced the launch of its ECO line of shirts, signaling its commitment to sustainability. The ECO friendly collection is made up entirely of environmentally acceptable organic components.
6. Raymond
It was known for starting as a small mill in Thane for its manufacturing coarse in woolen blankets back to almost 99 years ago. It is now a prominent Indian Textile and apparel brand known for its fabrics for suits, and fine formal wear. Founded in 1925 by founder Albert Raymond, it has grown to become one of the largest and most respected brands in the world. It offers a wide range of products including fabrics for suiting and shirting, ready-to-wear apparel, accessories, and customized tailoring services.
7. Titan
Titan is a leading Indian Luxury brands that has made a significant impact globally. It was established in 1984 as a joint venture between the Tata group and the Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation. The company offers a wide range of watches and has a presence in over 30 countries and around 2000 retail stores. Titan Company Limited is a renowned Indian consumer goods company that primarily operates in the lifestyle segment. It is known for its watches, jewelry, eyewear, and other personal accessories. Titan’s watch division offers a diverse range of watches under various brands including Titan, Sonata, Fastrack, and more. It is known for its innovation, design, and reliability. Today its revenue for the quarterly financial year is ₹786 Crore.
8. Peter England
Peter England is a leading menswear brand in India, noted for its formal and casual apparel ranges. Established in the United Kingdom in 1889, it eventually became an Indian trademark and is now owned by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited. The brand sells a wide variety of menswear, including shirts, pants, suits, and accessories. Peter England is India’s largest menswear brand, selling 10 million outfits. This brand created wrinkle-free men’s shirts and pants with customizable and adjustable waistbands. It is also very attentive and worried about environmental waste, and it is a sustainable brand. Its innovation throughout the manufacturing process saves more than 80 liters of water.
9. Lakme
Lakme is India’s first and top cosmetics brand, offering a diverse range of beauty and skincare items. It was formed in 1952 and is currently owned by Hindustan Unilever Limited. Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru launched Lakme after discovering that Indian women were investing the country’s valuable foreign reserves on Western make-up brands. Lakme is a French word that refers to the goddess Lakshmi. Lakme Salons sell products such as foundations, lipsticks, eyeliners, skincare, and salon services. With 80s heartthrob and supermodel Shyamoli Verma as the brand’s first face, Lakmé started a campaign to break down cosmetics application stereotypes.
10. American Swan
American Swan was an Indian fashion and lifestyle brand that aimed to bring American-inspired fashion to the Indian market. It was launched in 2012 and catered to young consumers with trendy apparel and accessories. The brand offers a range of clothing including shirts, jeans, dresses, and accessories like bags and footwear. The brand’s motto is “Yea Itz Mee” which conveys the feeling of individuality and confidence among all.
