APEX AWARDS 2005

APEX AWARDS 2005:

PHOTOS

CMAI Apex Awards 2005:

In celebration of Excellence 

Circa 2005, date December 9 witnessed the select gathering of brands and retail professionals, the Who’s Who of the apparel and textile industry and members of the Press. They were here to cheer those who have made significant contribution to the Apparel industry. Today the Clothing Manufacturers’ Association of India (CMAI) was recognising their talent and contribution in the third edition of APEX Awards 2005.

India’s Premier Association of the Apparel Industry – the CMAI honoured members of the fashion, and apparel industry, both in the export and retail sector in a glittering ceremony interspersed with the lilting fusion music by Soul Yatra band, held at Hotel Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. The mesmerizing musical moments with Soul Yatra performers added to the excitement of everyone. Setting the night of suspense and surprise ablaze was compére Tarana, who enraptured the audience with her beauty and charm.   

CMAI instituted the 'National Awards for Excellence in Apparel' in the year 2003 to honor those who turn modest apparel into a life-style, an aspiration that leaves a lasting impression on the minds of the consumer. Efforts of those who take the apparel to the consumers are also laudable through a wide distribution and retail network. APEX awards are a means of recognising those who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and initiative that has transformed the face of the industry. In its third year the awards were presented in 26 categories.

This time, the main theme of this most prestigious and awaited awards in the apparel industry was ‘Excellence’ which saw an overwhelming quality response and stiff competition from premium brands all over the country. To ensure that every aspect of the industry in the process of manufacturing was given due recognition, the awards were redefined and given away under a total of 26 distinct categories. A special feature of Apex 2005 was the inclusion of KSA Technopak as the Knowledge Partner in short listing of the jury and entries through a series of stringent criteria specified by them. The jury comprised some very well known names from the industry:  Mr. Govind Srikhande, Mrs. Gagan Singh, Mr. Salman Noorani, Mr. Kelly Dorji, Mrs. Krishna Mehta, Mrs. Meher Castellino, Mrs. Bina Mirchandani, Mr. Hoshang Billimoria, Mr. U. M. Lad, Mr. S. Chabbra, Ms. Sudipta Sen Gupta and Mr. Raju Daswani. They made their selections based on documented and personal presentations made by the nominees and handed over to the auditors who kept the results secret until their announcement at the awards event.   

& the winners are:

In his own inimitable style, Mr. Premal Udani, President, CMAI, while addressing the audience said, “ India is a large global player in the apparel industry, producing quality garments which are recognised all over the world. Our intention is to always encourage and support the potential of this industry through various initiatives such as this. I must add that this year, the competition was closer than ever and we received very top notch entries from all over the country.”    

Winners Speak

As expressed by Mr. Imraan Surve of Zodiac, “ZOD! Club Wear was awarded Ad Campaign of the Year - 2004-05 by the CMAI  at the "Oscars" of the clothing Industry - The APEX Awards held at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai.  The jury selection for this APEX award was based on Marketing Objectives, Advertising Strategy, judicious Media Planning and needless to say Creative content. What clinched it for us was the sharp focused strategy and creative use of Media within limited budgets and results thereof. We competed with industry stalwarts & big spenders like Zodiac, Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Provogue apart from Pepe, Levis, Killer etc to get this award. I share this with profound joy and on behalf of the ZOD! Marketing team, FCB & Lodestar. ZOD! has won 3 awards at the CMAI - APEX Awards in the past: Promising Brand of the Year 2004, Brand Launch of the Year 2003 and Emerging Brand of the Year 2003.

The brand professional of the year, Mr. Nikhil Chaturvedi, MD, Provogue expressed

“Any sort of recognition is good and I would like to thank CMAI and Jury for that. CMAI is an important body which is really doing fantastic job for the industry. CMAI’s Apex award means a lot to me and there cannot be any bigger prize than this. I belong to the industry and getting recognised as the brand professional within 10 years of operation is a great feeling.” 

The winner of  Brand of the year - kids wear-United Colours of Benetton’s MD, Ms. Gagan Singh, shared with Apparel, “The Apex Awards represent the recognition of our work by the fraternity of Apparel manufacturers and retailers. Our entire team is delighted and extremely thrilled. Year 2005 has been a good year for us and these awards have vindicated our achievements – this was the first time we made a presentation to the Apex Award jury. We are motivated to participate more actively in the future. The process is transparent and the awards cover and recognise almost all facets of the apparel industry.”

Rahul Mishra, Winner of Student Designer of the year award shared, “APEX awards are considered to be Oscars of Indian apparel industry. For me APEX awards are acknowledgement of best work in India and a very good way of motivating and promoting talent in this country. Winning APEX award was a great boost to my confidence. It has strengthened my conviction about design. After this I am looking forward making my country proud on international level also. After winning “FESTA ITALIANA FASHION DESIGN TALENT CONTEST” organised by CMAI, the award for best student designer of the year is an amazing experience. APEX award has strengthened my confidence and conviction. Now I have more substance to support my thoughts. Truly, I am feeling on top of the world and finding it very difficult to define in words.

The Winner of logistic company of the year, Mr. Jasjit Sethi, MD, TCI Supply Chain Solution was very jubilant on receiving the award. He expressed, “It has a very special place as CMAI is a confluence of many aspects of the apparel world. Our organisation has its roots in young India of 1950's and 1960' where Roti-Kapada played a vital role and we have grown with the apparel industry. We are a large team and recognition is very important, this has played a good part in motivating our members across all levels. It is an important milestone in our journey for achieving global performance and innovation recognition. The event was well managed and participation of the audience was a great sight.”

Chetan Shah, Country Head, Pepe Jeans expressed, “This award meant a lot for us. It is really the creativity, hardwork and passion for the brand that each and everybody in Pepe share. I would like to thank the CMAI and the industry for recognising our efforts through this award.”

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) is India’s oldest and most representative Association of garment manufacturers, exporters and retailers with a national presence through its own offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune and New Delhi. For the past 40 years, CMAI has been helping its members work within various government regulations and regularly representing their interests in matters of taxes, octroi, export policies, procedures, quotas etc. Some of the initiatives and services it offers its members are: Organisation of National and International Garment Fairs, Testing Laboratory for fabrics and garments, Issue of Certificates of Origin, Resolving of payment disputes through the Payment Default Committee, Managing Training Institutes, Seminars and Forums, Technical and Legal advise and performance recognition through its APEX Awards.

- Bienu Vaghela

May the best one WIN!