subject: Health and Beauty Luxury Products [print this page] Health and Beauty Luxury Products Health and Beauty Luxury Products
Health and Beauty Luxury Products
Luxurion 09, to be held between 14th to 16th August in Mumbai, has been called off just a week before the D-day, throwing months of planning and pre production of international and national participants out of the nearest window! The official reason- it's a precautionary measure taken in the interest of public health- a la Swine Flu. The exhibition cum conference was to portray India as a luxury goods producer as well as a market for luxe products with a stellar line up of participants from the best of international and Indian luxury brands and services.
health and beauty
How much ever clean and clear a picture the Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC) tries to portray, the news that is trickling out is certainly spelling 'Mirky' with a capital 'M'. Stylekandy.com has had access to the participation cost sheet and we realised that the prices are higher than that of Pret a Porter, Paris! Those working in close quarters with the organisers claim that 'they (organisers) were simply not ready'. People associated with marketing and public relations had a tough time convincing international exhibitors to come down and look at business in India during the Independence Day of the country, generally considered a sensitive phase with respect to travel and security.
health and beauty
Vinod Gupta, Chairman, MEDC, obviously refuted all of the above and more. "It is a display of high end luxury at its best, unprecedented international media exposure and hype; infrastructure made out of German technology- all this does carry a price tag. The fact that we got so many participants is testimony to the truth that participants were comfortable with our costs." However, media speculations state that the agenda and the content and topics of discussions were causing confusion of the highest order. Ambiguity and vagueness loomed large as minutes were not streamlined. "It was our first time and we are learning", is all what Vinod said. While insiders feel that swine flu may be used as an excuse, the MEDC official website for Luxurion was itself infected, with Google diagnosing it as 'Malevolent' for almost a week in July. "Yes, that was a cause of concern as it reflects ill on India being an IT hub. The problem was rectified within days."
health and beauty
Veronique Poles, a French Fashion Consultant, working closely with the Luxuri on felt that the decision should have come well in advance. "I think they are right but it's more of a logistical woe for my French clients and my self too. One of them, who is scheduled to fly in tomorrow, is coming down here anyway since it was too close to call the trip off. Now I will have to host him since I want to maintain my rapport and reputation in the industry. " This may be just the tip of the iceberg of the repercussions that such a cancellation produces. Vinod asserts, "People have understood our view point and conform with the wise decision, irrespective of the inconvenience caused.
health and beauty
There was no pressure, just communication from the government and we still stick by the decision of freezing the dates around the Independence Day because we wanted it to be of national relevance." As for the refund of the participation fee- "Refunds are being asked for and are being given out if and only if they do not wish to participate in future." Luxurion 09 is being rescheduled for October end or November beginning. Meanwhile, Mehul Choksi of Gitanjali, a participant in Luxurion, promptly reverted with his views- "No comments!" Vijay Singh and Raghavendra Rathore of the FDPC, which were to host its first ever fashion showcasing in Mumbai were unavailable for comment. More information you can see here Fashion Week Coverage and get details.
