Group: TRUSTED SHOP: FASHION

Viney Singh, Member Board of Directors, Fabindia

Viney Singh joined India based ethnic wear brand Fabindia as its director and CEO in August 2016 and currently sits on its board as a Non-Executive Director and a Director at both Fabcafe Foods and Biome Life Sciences India.

Previously, he worked as the Managing Director at Max Hypermarket India – a Landmark Group company – since 2006, and was instrumental in building the SPAR brand in India. Prior to this, he was part of the start-up and leadership team as CEO of Reliance Communications, for their Karnataka and Kerala circles.

His extensive experience with Hindustan Lever/Unilever covers all their food verticals, as well as personal care and home care businesses. Viney has also served as Director, Customer Management, Mashreq (Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Sudan) and Head, Business Development, Food Business for the group.

Singh completed his undergraduate degree at Loyola College (India).

LAVANYA R NALLI, Vice Chairperson, Nalli Group

Lavanya Nalli is the 5th Generation entrepreneur and Vice Chairperson of Nalli Group. “Nalli” a brand synonymous with silk which was established in the year 1928.

Lavanya started her career with the Nalli Group – a $100M national retail chain – focusing on new business development and growth opportunities, retail store operations, and private-label. She launched a sub-brand “Nalli Next” that penetrated untapped markets, and incubated a venture that empowered artisanal communities by bringing design-led products to market.

She then graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School in 2011, and worked at McKinsey & Company (Chicago) advising CXOs of Fortune 500 companies on issues ranging from top-line growth and profit improvement initiatives, change management programs and multi-channel strategy. Moved to India in 2013 into the ecommerce world as VP at Myntra (Flipkart Group). In late-2015 she returned to the Nalli Group, and is presently heading the ecommerce and omni channel platform.

Original, results-oriented and enterprising, she is a creative problem-solver with two decades-long career in all-things consumer. Profiled in the media as a recognized expert on retail in India, she been a published author and speaker at industry forums and events. Named by The Economic Times as among corporate India’s fastest rising women leaders, and by Forbes as “Asia’s Women to Watch” in 2016. Am an ambassador for Government of India’s innovation efforts and NITI Aayog’s “Champions of Change” program, an Aspen Fellow, and YPO member. She was felicitated with prestigious ‘The Fashion Retail Icon’ at the Images Fashion Awards 2024.

Vineet Gautam, CEO, South Asia, Bestseller India

 

Vineet Gautam is a seasoned retail expert, currently serving as CEO, South Asia, at Bestseller India, overseeing the entire business operations of seven renowned brands: Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, Only, Selected Homme, Jack & Jones Junior, Kids Only, and Indifusion.

With over 20 years of experience in the retail sector, Gautam has established himself as a visionary leader. His professional journey began with esteemed organizations such as Wills Lifestyle, Café Coffee Day, Domino’s Pizza, and Nirula’s, where he honed his skills in operations, marketing, and brand management.

Gautam’s leadership prowess was evident in his previous roles, including heading retail and business development at United Colors of Benetton and implementing retail strategies for Idea Cellular. His expertise in fashion retail, coupled with his hotel management background from IHM-Delhi, enables him to navigate the competitive industry with finesse.

Gautam joined Bestseller in January 2010 where he has played a pivotal role in driving growth across retail, wholesale, and online channels, expanding market presence in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. His customer-centric approach fosters innovation, excellence, collaboration, and empowerment.

Under Gautam’s guidance, Bestseller brands have become the most preferred fashion choices in India. His vision for making Bestseller India’s top fashion retail house is driven by his passion, leadership, and willingness to face new challenges with grit and humility.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gautam enjoys adventure sports and traveling with his wife. His remarkable career is a testament to his exceptional leadership skills, industry expertise, and dedication to excellence.

As CEO of Bestseller India, Vineet Gautam continues to propel the company toward unprecedented success, solidifying his position as a respected leader in India’s retail landscape.

Shailesh Chaturvedi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Arvind Fashions Limited.

 

One of Arvind Fashions Limited strongest leaders, Shailesh has successfully led several of its brands over the last 18 years.

He is immediate past chairman of India Fashion Forum.

Prior to his current position Shailesh was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Tommy Hilfiger Apparels India, a joint venture between the Murjani Group and Arvind Limited. He made Tommy one of the most admired and aspirational brands in the country. He also took over the Calvin Klein brand in FY18 and scripted a strong turnaround of the business. Shailesh Chaturvedi brings experience from previous roles at Ex – Benetton Asia Pacific Ltd., Madura Garments and Coats Viyella, Madura Coats. With a robust skill set that includes Sourcing, Marketing, Apparel, Retail, Leadership and more. His deep expertise in working with international brands makes him a guru of global best practices in fashion retail.

Experience:

2021 – Present

MD & CEO, Arvind Fashions Limited.

2006 – 2020

CEO – Tommy Hilfiger apparels India

2005 – 2006

Head- wholesale business, Benetton Asia Pacific Ltd.

2000 – 2005

Business Head – International Brands, Madura Garments / Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd.

1992 – 2000

GM Marketing ,Coats Viyella, Madura Coats

Education

He is an engineering graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration from NMIMS

Sanjeev Mohanty, MD & President (eqv.) – US & Canada, Levis Strauss & Co.

Sanjeev Mohanty is a dynamic global executive with a proven track record in driving transformative growth and building world-class teams. He currently serves as Managing Director and President (equivalent) of US and Canada for Levi Strauss & Co., leading a $3 billion P&L and a team of 5,000 in the company’s largest market, reporting directly to the CEO.

Mohanty’s academic foundation includes a Master’s degree in Apparel Marketing and Merchandising, Fashion and Retail Marketing from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (1995), and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Utkal University. He also completed his Higher Secondary education from St. Xavier School.

Mohanty began his career as a Merchandising Manager with Jay Gee Group, a licensee of The Walt Disney Group, overseeing product management of Disney brands. He then worked with Arvind Lifestyle Brands Ltd. as Senior Merchandiser – Newport, followed by stints at Levi Strauss & Co. as Product Manager and Madura Garments as General Manager and Brand Head of SF Jeans.

In 2004, Mohanty joined the Benetton Group as Director – Commercial, progressing to Regional Commercial Director (India and South East Asia/Pacific) and eventually becoming Managing Director. During his 11-year tenure, he spearheaded a remarkable turnaround in Benetton’s business and revenues, establishing it as a top fashion brand in India.

After leaving Benetton, Mohanty had a brief stint at (link unavailable) before joining Levi Strauss & Co. in various leadership roles, including Managing Director and SVP for South Asia, Middle East, and Africa, and Managing Director and VP for South Asia and MENA. In January 2022, he assumed his current role as Managing Director and President (equivalent) of US and Canada.

With over 25 years of experience across 20+ emerging and developed markets, Mohanty excels in turnarounds, scalable growth, and complex market navigation. His expertise spans end-to-end P&L management, product development, and multi-channel Direct to Consumer and wholesale strategies.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mohanty is committed to improving the lives of the underprivileged and is passionate about sustainability. At Levi’s, he actively served on the Board of The Red Tab Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization providing financial assistance to LS&Co. employees, retirees, and their families.

An adventure motorcycling enthusiast, Mohanty embodies the same dynamic approach in his personal pursuits as he does in the boardroom. Under his strategic leadership, Levi’s has achieved the No. 1 market share in men’s and women’s jeans in the US, mirroring his earlier success in India

Ravi Modi, Founder, Vedant Fashions

Ravi Modi is the visionary founder of Vedant Fashions, one of India’s leading ethnic wear lifestyle companies. His entrepreneurial journey began at 13, learning the nuances of consumer behavior at his father’s modest 140 sq ft store in Calcutta. After completing his education from St. Xaviers, Kolkata, Modi worked closely with his father before launching Manyavar, a line of wedding wear exclusively for men, with just ₹10,000 borrowed from his mother.

Modi’s strategic decisions and commitment to Indian wear propelled Manyavar into the mainstream. He expanded through exclusive brand outlets and large format stores, overcoming challenges such as capital constraints. His asset-light business model and focus on less-explored states like UP, Bihar, MP, and Odisha contributed to Vedant Fashions’ astounding success. Under Vedant Fashions, Modi has successfully established and grown a portfolio of renowned brands, including Manyavar, Mohey, Manthan, Mebaz, and Twamev.

Today, Vedant Fashions boasts over 600 stores in India and 11 international locations. Modi’s net worth soared to $3 billion by April 2023, earning him a spot on the 2022 Forbes World’s Billionaires List and the 2023 Forbes list of 100 richest people in India. Beyond financial success, Modi’s legacy extends to transformative leadership, resilience, and strategic planning.

Through the Manas Foundation, a social enterprise for cardiac care, Modi supports philanthropic initiatives, having successfully performed over 500 heart surgeries. His story inspires future generations, demonstrating that ambition, sacrifice, and a calculated approach can lead to success. Ravi Modi’s vision has transformed India’s ethnic wear market, cementing Vedant Fashions’ position as an industry leader.

J Suresh, Senior Advisor – Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

J Suresh is a seasoned retail professional with extensive experience in driving business growth and transformation. Currently, he serves as a Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Independent Consultant and Board Member at Jsureshconsults.

Suresh’s illustrious career spans leadership roles at Arvind Fashions Limited and Hindustan Unilever Ltd. Notably, he was the Managing Director at Arvind-Brands & Retail and CEO of Arvind Lifestyle Brands Ltd, where he strengthened the lifestyle brand portfolio and aggressively expanded Megamart as a value retail chain focused on apparel. Prior to joining Arvind, Suresh spent 18 years at Hindustan Unilever Ltd, culminating in heading the customer management function.

A distinguished alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (PGDM, 1982-1984) and Madras University (Engineering Graduate), Suresh brings valuable insights and expertise to the retail and consulting sectors. His wealth of experience and strategic acumen continue to benefit organizations seeking growth and transformation.

With a proven track record of driving business success, J Suresh remains a respected figure in India’s retail landscape, leveraging his expertise to guide businesses toward sustainable growth and excellence.

Vijay Jain, Strategy Consultant, Organic India

 

Vijay Jain is a seasoned strategy consultant with Organic India, passionate about consumer, technology, and impact. With a diverse career spanning over two decades, he has successfully built brands from scratch, led private equity-funded companies, and worked with larger organizations such as Fabindia and Organic India.

Notably, Vijay was the CEO of Ritu Kumar, a luxury brand with a presence across three distinct segments – premium, bridge-to-luxury, and luxury. During his tenure, he scaled the business, developed a digital-first strategy with strong analytics and CRM, and launched the home segment. Previously, he conceptualized and launched ORRA, India’s leading national jewelry retail chain, recognized as India’s Most Trusted Diamond Brand for three consecutive years.

Vijay’s expertise extends to consulting, having worked with a leading health and wellness company. His early career involved investment banking, private equity, and advisory roles, advising companies such as Cafe Coffee Day, Barista, and Sterlite Industries.

A sought-after speaker, Vijay has addressed national and international forums and served as a jury member on award panels, including Tata Innovista and Etailing. Recognized as one of the 100 Retail Icons of Retail, he has transformed India’s consumption story.

Vijay’s experties include strategy, P&L responsibility, leadership, brand and business transformation, D2C, digital, e-commerce, private equity, M&A, design thinking, entrepreneurship, startup, build, and scale. His expertise spans various consumer verticals, including apparel, fashion, luxury goods retail, jewelry, health and wellness, organic food, and education.