Ralph Lauren Sponsors Gala Dinner in India

RALPH’S CAUSE: When well-known Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor arrived at the fundraising gala dinner organized by Ralph Lauren in partnership with the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation last weekend, the glamour quotient went up several notches.

It was already at a high, held at the City Palace in Jaipur, with its magnificent architecture — built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who founded Jaipur. The palace is still home to the last ruling family, who live in a private section of the building.

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But it was philanthropy that overshadowed the grandeur and the glamour. The PDKF is Rajasthan’s premier foundation focused on women’s empowerment. Over the last 10 years it has started five centers across the state to give women opportunities through advice and education.

The silent auction listed items from both Ralph Lauren and PDKF. Glimpses of the fall 2023 Ralph Lauren Collection peppered the event — including hostess Princess Gauravi Kumari, celebrities and local dignitaries. Wearing a Ralph Lauren Collection holiday 2023 emerald silk was model and actress Manushi Chhillar while Italian influencer and businesswoman Chiara Ferragni wore a champagne-colored, embellished dress from Ralph Lauren spring 2023.

Princess Gauravi Kumari

It was also clearly a statement of determination by the brand, which is in India in partnership with Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail — the first Polo Ralph Lauren store opened in New Delhi in 2018, and the first Ralph Lauren store in 2019. There are now four stores in India.

Chiara Ferragni

Last July, chief executive officer Patrice Louvet told Bloomberg TV that Ralph Lauren is being “very deliberate on planting the right foundation so we can build from there with the right image perception” in India.

Many global retailers have been looking at India with renewed interest in 2023, as retail growth is in the double digits, and there is a growing consumer interest in luxury.

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