In fashion industry, one needs to blend aesthetics and style

Teamwork is crucial for success in the fashion industry, says Shailesh Chaturvedi, CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Apparels India. Besides remunerations, team members can be motivated by high-quality results, quick decision making, challenging assignments, transparency and open door access, genuine care and role clarity, etc., he tells Yogesh Saigal.

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Early aspirations

There were sharp creative leanings with a passion for reading, writing and plays. I excelled in languages in the Maharashtra board at standard X, but finally settled into the routine of a good student going in for engineering.

Academic credentials

I am a pucca Bombay boy, having done my civil engineering from Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Bombay, in 1990, followed by an MBA from Narsee Monjee in 1992.

Work experience

Before joining as CEO of Tommy Hilfiger (part of Arvind Murjani Brands Pvt Ltd), I headed the Asia Pac Wholesale business of Benetton Plc, Italy, based at Hong Kong and led the business in quite a large set of countries including Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Prior to this, I had spent nearly 13 years with the Madura Group in India – I spearheaded the launch of German brand Esprit in India in 2005 and also handled all premium brands of Madura Garments (Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly) as the general manager-marketing.

Keys to professional success

Vast experience in the apparel retail industry has helped and the strategy of building a career by focusing on one particular segment may have worked for me (the advantage of a long innings in a single industry and growing within one organisation). The experience of interacting with international brands and the skill sets developed on launching these international brands in India have been invaluable.

The presence of an understanding wife and the resultant harmony at home has been a big boost as well.

Positives of teamwork

In the fashion industry, one needs to blend commercial sense with creativity, aesthetics and style. These are often diverse faculties requiring different types of personalities of team members. A good blend of team members delivers a yin and yang of fashion and commerce. Hence, teamwork is crucial for success.

Motivating team members

I have noticed that bright team members get motivated by results.

Hence, as the leader of a team, one has to ensure that the team remains focused on results even if it means eliminating some 'feel good’ activities, which do not necessarily deliver results but consume efforts.

Besides the achievement of high-quality results, I have seen that teams get motivated by quick decision-making, challenging assignments, transparency and open door access, genuine care, role clarity and surely by 'above average remuneration levels’.

Favourite line

A little push in the right direction can make a big difference.

On whether there is talent crunch

There is 'experience crunch’, especially the ready experience, although there are quite a few bright young talents around. A lot of these young talents will need some help before they can execute the strategy of international retail levels here. Hence, a lot of emphasis is required on hands-on experience in market and on foreign exposure. The positive side is that the talent available is good and they are learning fast enough. Still, there will remain a shortage of ready experience in India in premium retailing for the next 3 to 5 years.

Advice for bosses

I have often found in my previous assignments that professional business leaders spend a very high proportion of their time on projections, reviews, fire fighting and covering their rear. The need of the hour may be to proactively develop businesses by motivating employees or by interacting with key consumers.

USP of Tommy Hilfiger

As a brand, Tommy Hilfiger is a very appetising blend of coolness, American spirit and uncompromising premiumness. The proportion of these three attributes is very unique and makes the brand uniquely youthful, spirited and vibrant. Besides international offerings of apparel for men and women, it offers a complete basket of accessories including watches, perfumes, innerwear, sunglasses and leather accessories.

Professional strengths

My ability to appreciate aesthetics and to get the best output from creative talents coupled with an extremely analytical mindset. Also, I have the ability to take on challenging assignments and not give up even under adverse conditions.

Work-life balance

Despite an extremely hectic work life in the last so many years, I have tried my best to avoid compromising on my passion for reading, writing and music besides my family and friends. Playing soccer with my eight-year-old son is something I look forward to.

Future of the industry

As far as the premium fashion retail segment is considered, we are in the stage I of development in India and the next few years will be the foundation-laying years for premium brands. The action is likely to heat up in the next few years with the launch of a host of new international brands, coinciding with the launch of a few good quality malls in metros.

My take

Shailesh definitely believes in 'walking the talk’. Every move he makes seems to be carefully planned and executed, even if it is just an innocuous glance at the emails on his Blackberry. It cannot be an easy task to be entrusted with leading such a premium international brand, but looking at him, one can certainly understand why he is 'the chosen one’.

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Just a word of advice, from all Tommy Hilfiger fans – ahem, throw in a few discounts from time to time and we might go easy on our wallets. A definite winner this one is.

(Yogesh Saigal leads the business development function for ABC Consultants, India’s premier recruitment and executive search firm)

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