This iconic Indian retail brand is managed by the man you see in this picture. The company (owning the brand if you want to be technically correct) was established in 1960 as a one-man export company by his father, an American working for the Ford Foundation. As a retail brand it started out in 1976, though even now the company's name retains a word linking it to its export oriented origins.
The brand is all the more iconic because it is said that the company doesn't advertise. [At least I don't remember any ads on TV or hoardings on the roads, except notices of new store openings.] It is also an innovative ownership model because a part of its stock is community owned. The man in the picture has also written an insightful book on India from a social entrepreneur's perspective. Since I know this makes a difference to your life by making you feel nice, I can tell you his sister is named after a climatic phenomenon.
This is William Nanda Bissel, the boss of Fabindia. The company is called Fabindia Overseas Pvt Ltd, the word 'Overseas' giving a hint of its export oriented origins. William's book is called 'Making India Work'. His sister is Monsoon Bissel.
ReplyDeleteA reader points out that Fabindia does carry newspaper ads for new collections and special events. The same reader gets bonus points for taking the initiative to name William's mom - Bim Bissel.