Amsterdam has been fast becoming the denim design capital of the world, with many leading denim brands setting up their design studios there. At the same time, Indian denim industry has been evolving and expanding at a rapid pace, along with the continued growth in the domestic market for denim wear. There is huge scope for collaboration between the Dutch and Indian denim businesses, to utilize the respective strengths of both in various segments of the denim value chain, and lead to mutually beneficial partnerships.

A few months ago, the Indigo Embassy, a program sponsored by DutchDFA, was hosted at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. The Indigo Embassy aimed to connect the Dutch and Indian denim industry players. The seminar at Indigo embassy saw key Dutch and Indian denim kingpins discuss the strengthening of the Dutch-Indian networks, the Future of the Denim Industry and steps to be taken towards a more sustainable denim industry.

In continuation with the same, Ms. Christine de Baan, Program Director and Ms. Hester Swaving, Business Manager Dutch Design Fashion Architecture, who were recently in New Delhi, met with Mr. R. Dudeja, Founder, Denim Club India, to discuss the next steps in the process of connecting the denim industry in India and Netherlands, the wheels of which were set in motion by the Indigo embassy in October 2012.

The various dimensions and possibilities for collaborations were discussed and it was concluded that that Denim Club India and House of Denim, in association with Ms. Christine and Ms. Hester, will keep the ball rolling and work collaboratively for creating opportunities to innovate, upgrade and increase competitiveness by:

     º Arranging face to face interactive sessions between Dutch designers and Indian denim manufacturers to establish links and encouraging collaboration and debate

    º Hosting events conducive to professional interaction and learning with active participation of entrepreneurs and professionals and bringing in business delegations from Netherlands for showcasing collections and highlighting their expertise

    º Cultivating partnerships with Indian educational institutions, establishment of student and faculty exchange programs

Appreciating the efforts by the Dutch representatives, Mr. R. Dudeja, Founder, Denim Club India said “These steps will go a long way in helping the Indian denim industry upgrade its quality, and also achieve higher value addition, making it more competitive in the international market. The Dutch denim industry will benefit from gaining access to the huge domestic market for denim wear in India, and at the same time can benefit largely by setting up its R and D and production centers in India.”