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Let's Shop! Indian
Handicraft and Gift Show
February 26, 2007
Yesterday, I popped into the Indian Handicraft and Gift Show in
New Delhi—well, Noida actually which is a satellite town
outside of New Delhi. A good distance outside—but with the
new highway in place, travel is a reasonable 45 minutes—and
when you finish the show, just continue straight another hour
to the Taj Mahal.
The facility is newly built, landscaped, large and spacious. The
greeting is warm and cordial with free water bottles provided
and a buyer's lounge with free Internet access, tea and coffee.
Bus service to the hotels is nothing short of fantastic. (Hey,
the Javits Center in New York should take a lead from this) Isn't
it nice to be appreciated? With all the money and time the buyers
spend getting to a show I applaud whatever can be done to increase
their comfort and help their efficiency in buying.
On Sunday afternoon, traffic was light, and I pretty much could
wander the show crowd free. Previous days had a high Australian
turn out, and I heard that Target buyers, Pier One, Bombay Co.
and other heavies in the gift industry, had been in (now that's
a subject for another column) as well as French, South African,
Japanese, British and German buyers.
Just so you truly know you are in the world's handicraft capital
there's a weaver right at the entrance working on a loom and making
the point that there is a HAND in all of this handicraft. Gorgeous
wooden furniture, an unlimited array of textiles, hand made glass
beautiful etched bowls with brass detailing, pretty beaded lamp
shades and novelties of uniquely Indian character abound.
I particularly noticed an increase in the God Business. India
has always made beautiful sculpture and paintings of their array
of gods for domestic and tourist consumption but there seems to
be a growing market for all things spiritual, and India does this
very well. Brass and wood and clay—there are gods in every
conceivable material and denomination on display. Buddha is a
big participant in home décor, and the chubby Indian Elephant
God Ganesh (carries his wisdom in his belly) is a close second.
There was an interesting presentation of Jute products (H.A. Hai
& Brothers, Karkia International are two). This, along with coir
and bamboo, seems to be the new eco material.
Jute wall hangings with gorgeous scenes were constructed as very
sculptural wall art—beautifully done and very intriguing.
It looks like there has been significant investment in product
development in the jute industry—and about time, too. It
has long been a government-supported industry that made little
headway beyond conventional floor coverings.
The other side of jute was delicate jute earrings—finely
woven in ivory and natural jute colors. Jute bags are touted as
eco-friendly (I think we can put all cotton bags in that category)
and inexpensive for grocery shopping—very European and Indian.
Will Americans who like to shop just once a week go for the re-useable
totes? We would need giant-sized!
Now if the talented painters and modelers of Kashmir could get
some product development input, there would be a whole new category
of eco-friendly goods to buy in papier-mâché!
There are merchants here who sell both in the US market and the
Indian market. Usually some unique connection is the starting
point for this. Bali Sarna—SS Sarna Inc. is one such person—he
was born in Bali of Indian parents who were long selling product
from Asia into the American market. He exhibits his whimsical
metal sculptures of Pixies and Ballerinas, sarong-clad ladies
and figures in dainty dresses, in all of the major U.S. shows,
as well as dealing f.o.b. to the wholesale market out of India.
He certainly had one of the busier booths, and declared the U.S.
show season to be a success (while at the same time lamenting
the demise of the small retailer).
There were many bag, jewelry and scarf vendors reflecting the
move of apparel accessories into the gift market—and with
India’s rich textiles and relatively low minimums, they
are a natural source.
Ishu was proverbial eye candy with an array of wonderful lamps,
scarves and photo frames and bags—they were a standout in
terms of colors and use of textiles. Fabulous shoes, handmade
in Jaipur, were in a myriad of color and style combinations at
Maharani’s Treasure. Can a girl really have too many shoes?
Not at those prices! Too bad my closet doesn't meet the minimum.
The show also had guest speakers from the Philippines, Germany
and India speaking to upcoming trends and forecasts for next season.
These presentations in this manufacturing-based fair are as important
to the exhibitors as they are to the buyers. After all, they have
to make it before it can be bought.
In sum—a good fair for the buyer—not as many stalls
laden with hors d'ouerves and cookies and free margaritas as Atlanta—but
a decidedly nicer check-in with lots to see and buy.
April Cornell, New Delhi |
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