Sunil Sethi On His Legacy, FDCI Manifest Wedding Weekend And More

In 2008, bridal fashion wasn't a 'trend' per se, but by 2023, India's fashion landscape had evolved to create a special niche for bridal and wedding couture, thanks to ventures like the India Couture Week or the Wedding Weekend by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). For its second edition, FDCI has partnered with Manifest to elevate the wedding shopping and planning experience with the FDCI Manifest Wedding Weekend.

Sunil Sethi, the chairman of FDCI, tells Manifest that the horse has been steadily gaining speed. The horse here means the FDCI Manifest Wedding Weekend. Speaking about the partnership, Sunil says, "Our partnership with Manifest is perfect because it aligns with a luxury, wedding, and fashion-forward brand under the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. This isn't just any partnership; it's one with a well-respected industrial company that has a proven track record of reliability. Additionally, my confidence in the ownership and the editorial team is bolstered by the trust I have in the Manifest team."

After 15 years in the fashion industry, having organised thousands of fashion shows, seen the FDCI split and then reunite, and worked with various partners, the chairman of FDCI has been a pillar for the Indian fashion scene. "It seems like just yesterday I became a part of FDCI. I believe this is because being involved from the start fosters a deep connection," Sethi shares.

Despite his numerous achievements and contributions to making FDCI what it is today, Sethi remains down-to-earth. He notes, "When I first joined FDCI, the fashion industry was divided, with many established designers leaving their previous groups to start anew. In a way, it felt like we were in the process of rebuilding FDCI. Thankfully, it only took a year for the organisation to get back on its feet. Now, FDCI is more than just an entity; it's a collective effort."

Sethi firmly believes in the importance of paying attention to the details, a philosophy he adopted early on. He took a hands-on approach, personally managing events and collaborating closely with his team to ensure their success. "With a skilled team of five to six members and their trust, we continued to expand and explore various aspects of the industry."

His proactive approach, government backing, and positive attitude contributed to elevating fashion in India. Today, India Couture Week is recognised as the Hyundai India Couture Week, a partnership with Reliance Brands. Through numerous sponsorships and collaborations, FDCI and ICW have achieved notable achievements.

Concluding our conversation, he says, ‘I was never in this for myself. I wanted to show everyone we could run FDCI. We’re past the nascent stage, and my goals are met.” Admired by many and respected by all, Sunil Sethi has proven to be an irreplaceable force in the fashion industry.

The FDCI Manifest Wedding Weekend is an invite-only event which will be held at the Taj Palace, New Delhi, on August 3-4, 2024. For an invitation, register here or reach out at fmww@rpsg.in