Connecting the dots between fashion and the future

For those who believe fashion is far too frivolous a pursuit for serious entrepreneurship, let this gentleman correct the notion.

Hailing from a middle-class family albeit with a thoroughly strong work ethic, Badal Saboo’s journey has been all about challenging the status quo. He wanted to integrate two opposite worlds to create magic. The founder of the pathbreaking Pune Fashion Week (PFW), which he initiated in 2010, Badal has seen it go from strength to strength, nurturing the brand into a leading Indian luxury fashion exhibit. Today, he is not only known an astute curator of fashion, arts and culture but has also expanded his businesses in different domains. In addition to his role as an entrepreneur and consultant, Badal also dedicates a considerable amount of his time to the conservation of art and culture, as well as discovering and mentoring talent through his roles as a Member of the CII Task Force on Art and Culture and being past Chair of Entrepreneurs Organization’s (EO) Accelerator and Cares programme for Pune.

Here’s getting up close with the maverick who not only believes in thinking out of the box, but also rethinking its dimensions.

“The future of business lies in building communities and gaining social capital. I don’t see it happening any other way” expresses Badal Saboo, fashionpreneur and visionary strategist. An engineer by education, he chose to break new ground in fashion instead of technology. Not to suggest that he doesn’t understand the importance of technology. “The only way for fashion to scale up is to take every opportunity and space created by technology,” he stresses.

Corporate Citizen: How did you get into fashion? Do tell us about the early days.

Badal Saboo: Even as an absolute fresher, I had a deep seated desire to create a value-added, sustainable eco-system, within the fashion realm and the same just got stronger and more focused after my postgraduation from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi.

The early days were quite challenging as with all entrepreneurs. However, my strong commitment to globally cultivate and redefine the way consumers see fashion helped me in creating fashion platforms that had a sustainable system-driven business strategy.

CC: Fashion continues to suffer from the label of being frivolous. How do you reconcile serious entrepreneurship with this long-standing perception?

That’s indeed true. I did have my moments of disappointment due to that perception. However, my core understanding of the fashion industry through my formal education, hard work, commitment to my vision, and strong networking skills, helped build a cluster of national and international like-minded partner networks. This, in turn, helped nurture and grow the now-established brands of Pune Fashion Week, Fashionable Bharat, Face of India, Face of Sri Lanka, Face of Arabia, Face of Jordan and Face of Bhutan.

Take the latest Face of India event for example - we received a fantastic turnaround of entries, roped in such proficient designers; we were able to play a role of making sure the collaboration between new talent and designers took place. I believe everyone should get an opportunity to showcase their art, so events like these open doors to people in the fashion world.

CC: Given that we live in India-a land of unbelievable diversity and variety when it comes to art and textile-natural and close allies of fashion, how sad that the perception of fashion as frivolous persists. What can be done on a large-scale basis to get rid of the notion?

Earmarking funds for fashion entrepreneurship and using technology to break barriers and scale up is a fine way forward.

CC: In the days to come what will be the challenge and opportunities that you are likely to face?

The challenges we face are very similar to the challenges faced by any business enterprise viz. uncertainty due to changes in the regulatory systems, forces of nature and unforeseen circumstances such as the one we all experienced during the recent Covid pandemic. It however gives me pleasure to state that we still continued with our beauty and talent hunt competitions conducted by the Asia Model Festival, of which I am an organising committee member. This shows our strong commitment that no matter what, the show must go on.

CC: What would your advice be to the hopefuls in this field? What does it take to succeed?

It takes a lot of resilience and commitment to make a mark for oneself in this field. However, the sense of satisfaction when you walk down the ramp or see the proud smile on the faces of the models and designers who receive accolades through your efforts, makes it all worthwhile. Never ever give up, especially when you feel you’re at the lowest, because that just might be the turning point.

CC: Tell us about your talent discovery platform for the fashion industry.

I have always wanted to create opportunities for aspiring fashion hopefuls. Many fail due to lack of proper guidance and support. To bridge this gap, I helped drive the talent discovery platform, viz. the ‘Faces’ series, the largest and most prestigious platform in Asia’s fashion fraternity.

CC: How do you keep a work-life balance?

Fortunately for me, I find myself pursuing my passion and it has never ever been work for me. My energy reserves automatically get recharged when I get involved in crafting and creating newer and better avenues for showcasing Fashion more creatively.

CC: Your philosophy of work and life.

Enjoy doing what you do and always keep connecting the dots as nothing happens by fluke. There is a reason for it all.

CC: Do tell us a bit about your family life.

I have always had complete support and trust from my family in all decisions that I have made. I am immensely blessed with understanding parents, supportive partner and a talented team who believe in my vision.

CC: How do you unwind beyond work?

A few moments of silence, an attitude of gratitude and spending cherishable moments with family, friends and associates helps me stay calm and unwind beyond work.

Face of India 2022 grand finale held in Pune

The Internationally acclaimed pageant “Face of India” in association with the Asia Model Festival, held its grand finale in Pune and crowned six winners from the 6000 entries received from various parts of the country. The pageant opens gates to endless opportunities for aspiring models and plays the role of a mentor in their fashion journey. The winners represent India at the forthcoming Asia Model Festival, October 2022 in Uijeongbu, South Korea.

The extensive judging panel included Badal Saboo, Chairman, Face of India; Rajiv Sonigara, Co-Director, Sonigara Corp, and acclaimed Indian actors Sahil Shroff, Elakshi Gupta, Nikki Tamboli, Ayeesha Aiman, and Kabir Singh.

Alisha Chandrakar from Bhilai, Chhattisgarh and Vedant Mahewar from Nanded, Maharashtra were crowned as the winners of Face of India. Ravi Naval from Mumbai and Niharika Joshi, Una, Gir Somnath, Gujarat, Maharashtra were the second winners, and Kriti Karmakar from Gauripur, Assam and Rohit Rana from Chalisgaon near Jalgaon, Maharashtra were third winners. All the winners will further represent India and compete with the winners from 26 other Asian countries for the most coveted “Face of Asia” title at the Asia New Star Model Contest 2022 which has a prize money of 100,000 USD.

Talking about the pageant. Badal Saboo, Chairman, Face of India and Managing Director of Pune Fashion Week, shares, “Through this pageant we have tried to help the imminent talent and hope India bags the title abroad. This is the seventh time that India is participating in the Asia New Star Model Contest, the largest and most prestigious platforms in Asia’s fashion fraternity”.