Mumbai’s first CMAI TRENDHAUS booking fair wrapped up on January 30 with results that exceeded industry expectations. The five-day event brought eleven major fashion brands together and generated an estimated ₹1,100 crore in business—a strong validation of collaborative retail platforms in India’s apparel sector.
A Different Approach to Fashion Booking
Unlike typical trade shows, TRENDHAUS operated on an invitation-only model. The event featured Classic Polo, Easies by Killer, Gini & Jony, Indian Terrain, Integriti, Jr. Killer, Killer, Nostrum, Spykar, Status Quo, and Twills—all showcasing their Autumn-Winter 2026 collections under one roof.
CMAI went beyond standard event management by covering complete expenses for approximately 2,000 retail outlets. Air travel, accommodation, and hospitality were fully provided, allowing buyers to focus on collections rather than logistics. The format attracted decision-makers from multi-brand outlets, exclusive brand stores, large format retailers, e-commerce platforms, and franchisees.
Over 4,000 retail decision-makers attended across the five days, engaging in structured meetings with brand teams. Each brand set up pavilions ranging from 4,500 to 30,000 square feet, creating immersive environments for product presentations and order placements.
Industry Voices on the Event’s Impact
Santosh Katariya, President of CMAI, said the inaugural edition “marked a strong and promising beginning.” He explained that the platform demonstrated “the effectiveness of curated, outcome-driven forums in strengthening the apparel industry’s ecosystem by enabling efficient seasonal planning, sharper business alignment, and meaningful collaborations.”
Katariya added that “TRENDHAUS facilitated deeper engagement and fueled long-term partnerships between brands and retailers, reinforcing a more professional and predictable approach to doing business.”
For Indian Terrain’s Managing Director Charath Ram Narsimhan, the collective nature stood out. “This is the first time that select brands collectively decided to come together on a common platform to showcase their Autumn Winter collections, and it has been a unique experience altogether,” he noted. The brand saw more than 1,800 retailers during the event, many of whom were new contacts beyond their regular customer base.
Harsh Agarwal, CEO of Gini & Jony, drew from international experience, “Coming from a manufacturing background, I have seen similar platforms internationally, where retail bookings through a common forum are the norm. It is encouraging to see this format finally take place in India under CMAI, where leading brands have come together.”
He emphasised the practical benefits, “It makes the process easier for brands as well as for their retail partners, driving more efficient and focused business interactions.”
Smooth Operations and Strategic Support
The operational aspects received particular praise. Hemant Jain, Joint Managing Director of Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited, described the experience as “excellent, with very smooth and thoughtful management.”
“From airfare to accommodation, CMAI team took care of everything, allowing brands to focus entirely on meeting clients, showcasing new products and driving sales,” Jain explained. “This level of support removes a lot of operational pressure and makes the platform highly effective.”
He added a personal note about the association, “CMAI has consistently been a trusted and close association for us, and the team truly feels like family.”
Jayesh Shah, Promoter of Twills, called it “a fabulous initiative by CMAI to bring national brands together on a common platform” with “strong potential going forward.” He acknowledged that “the overall experience for invited buyers has been mixed, with some logistical challenges that can definitely be streamlined in future editions.”
Shah also touched on broader industry shifts, “From an industry perspective, apparel is seeing rapid change driven by evolving retail dynamics, fast-moving trends and increased focus on fabrics, fits and overall presentation.”
Reading the Market Signals
Sanjay Vakharia, Co-Founder and CEO of Spykar Lifestyle, identified a significant consumer trend: “We are seeing a steady shift in consumers from value businesses and fast fashion brands to slow fashion and quality merchandise dispensing brands.”
He continued, “Very clearly, an audience that prefers good quality and in-trend merchandise is being formed, and the exodus from value brands back into this cohort is steadily being seen.” On the platform itself, Vakharia noted that “TRENDHAUS is an interesting format and it is still early days, but it has great potential, provided more like-minded brands participate in the future.”
Sivaram TR, Managing Director of Classic Polo, found the event “quite productive” and “very well organised.” He observed consumer trends emerging “across styling and fabric, with denim continuing to evolve and changes being seen in patterns, particularly in menswear. Price points are also becoming more considered, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences.”
Bobby Arora, Director of Status Quo, said, “Exhibiting at TrendHaus was an incredibly enriching experience for us. Being surrounded by some of India’s most innovative lifestyle brands created a dynamic environment for collaboration, learning, and meaningful buyer interactions.”
Raj Nawani, Managing Director of Nostrum Fashion, expressed appreciation for the concept, “I would like to personally thank CMAI for creating an excellent platform like TrendHaus, where futuristic brands came together to showcase innovation and unique collections.” He added that “with further refinements and new ideas in future editions, this platform has the potential to become even bigger, smoother, and more impactful for the industry.”
Building Relationships Beyond Transactions
TRENDHAUS incorporated curated networking dinners and interaction forums alongside the business meetings. These sessions supported relationship-building that extends beyond seasonal ordering cycles, creating opportunities for longer-term partnerships.
The comprehensive approach—combining professional exhibition spaces, structured business meetings, full hospitality support, and networking opportunities—addressed multiple pain points in traditional retail booking processes. Brands gained concentrated access to serious buyers, while retailers could efficiently evaluate multiple collections without the usual travel and coordination headaches.
Looking Ahead
The ₹1,100 crore business outcome from this first edition establishes TRENDHAUS as a serious platform in India’s fashion calendar. While participants identified areas for improvement—particularly around logistics and buyer experience—the overall response suggests a strong foundation for growth.
The model aligns with international practices where centralised booking fairs are standard, while adapting to Indian market needs through comprehensive hospitality and relationship-focused programming. As the apparel industry navigates changing consumer preferences toward quality and sustainability, platforms that facilitate professional, efficient business interactions become increasingly valuable.
CMAI’s investment in creating this ecosystem—from venue and hospitality to careful buyer curation—demonstrates commitment beyond one-off event management. The success of this inaugural edition will likely encourage both participating brands to return and new brands to join future editions, potentially expanding the platform’s scope and impact across India’s fashion retail landscape.
