The Indian apparel industry is gearing up for a showcase of trends, innovation, and business opportunities at the highly anticipated 79th National Garment Fair (NGF 2024) by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI). The event is scheduled to take place from July 23-26, 2024, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre and the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

Occupying a massive 1 million square feet of exhibition space, this year's NGF is set to highlight the latest collections in men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. The bi-annual trade show, organised by CMAI, is a premier event in the industry, attracting 1,100 apparel manufacturers and more than 30,000 retailers from across India, CMAI said in a press release.

"Despite the consumption slow down prevalent since 2023, we are optimistic about a rising demand in the domestic market during the upcoming festive season. Indian consumers distinct fashion choices, demand for unique prints, special designs and premium merchandise does provide a solid foundation for growth. We anticipate that the later half of the year will see a notable improvement across all categories, marking 2024 as a stabilising period that sets the stage for our brighter future," said Rajesh Masand, president, CMAI.

“National Garment Fair attracts national level manufacturers, distributors, retailers, industry professionals, promoting B2B sourcing relationships and offers access to new business opportunities that help drive growth. The four-day extravagant trade show is anticipated to attract over 30,000 trade buyers from all over India. To facilitate this large quantum of trade visitors and ensuring a productive experience for all stakeholders involved, we have bifurcated the total exhibition space of 1 million square feet across two largest venues of Mumbai—men’s wear and women’s wear at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, and kid’s wear at Jio World Convention Centre in BKC thus showcasing latest collections of over 1,300 apparel brands for trade bookings,” said Rohit Munjal, vice president and chairman of the fair committee, CMAI.

"As we gather to showcase cutting-edge apparel trends and foster business collaborations at the NGF, we are also embracing the future with a focus on sustainability and novelty. NGF symbolises our collective vision for an industry that is not only fashionable and dynamic but also responsible and forward-thinking. It's a platform where tradition meets modernity, and where the seeds of a sustainable future are sown," said Rahul Mehta, chief mentor of CMAI.

The NGF is renowned for its exclusiveness and holds significant prestige as India's foremost comprehensive sourcing fair. It is designed to maximise both time and cost efficiency for all stakeholders, providing a single sourcing destination that enhances efficiency and fosters seamless networking and collaboration opportunities within the garments and apparel ecosystem.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)