The Kingdom of the Tiger

Niccolò Ricci, CEO of Stefano Ricci

India, according to analysts, is currently the world’s fifth largest power, but projections indicate that it is set to become the third by 2027. These are figures that make us reflect and reaffirm the importance of the Asian subcontinent on the international stage as the most populous civilisation in the world. For Stefano Ricci, India has been a key market for many years, not only due to the presence of boutiques in Delhi and Mumbai or the strong ties with The Oberoi & The Taj Group and longstanding friendships but also because of the well-established presence of an Indian clientele in international capitals. For this and for the realisation of this mission program, a special mention goes to our President of Stefano Ricci India, Jackie Manglani. When I think of India, I am reminded of my early professional experiences in our family business, when, during Pitti Uomo, we would welcome Indian clients from London, Paris, and New York. People with a natural elegance, connoisseurs of quality and beauty, always attentive to novelties and exclusives.

Over the years, as mentioned, we have strengthened our ties with this extraordinary country, forming agreements with figures of the highest calibre, such as the late Ratan Tata, dressing masters of the arts like conductor Zubin Mehta and an iconic Bollywood authority like Boney Kapoor. We have met families that closely resemble our own, first and foremost the Lohia family. Esteemed guests at the historic fashion show in the Uffizi Gallery, they were inspired to bring their guests to Florence for a wedding that became legendary, between Palazzo Pitti and Piazza Ognissanti, just as the Lohia family did when restoring new life to the medieval village of Castelfalfi, where we are proudly present with the new suite within La Rocca (Medieval fortress). Not to mention many other prominent families, such as the Ambani family, who generously invited us to the wedding of Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani, whom we have the honour of dressing. The India we explore in this edition of SR Explorer is Rajasthan: the land of Kings and Maharajas. A legendary land we have come to know through books on great journeys, documentaries, and interactions with key economic and financial players worldwide. It is a place of immense charm, where architectural beauty merges Hindu and Islamic influences with a rich historical fabric. The maharajas have played a vital role in bringing global attention to this land, and today, we are proud to dress them. But Rajasthan is more than that. It is untamed nature, home to rare wildlife, including the majestic tiger.

Although not the most populated habitat for this great mammal, we have chosen to renew our commitment to conservation alongside NGOs such as Krithi Karanth’s Centre for Wildlife Studies India, which has been dedicated for years to the protection of wildlife and the study of human-animal interactions. Her globally recognised research and the unwavering dedication of this extraordinary woman have motivated us to establish a partnership with the Centre for Wildlife Studies. The continuous work done by Dr. Krithi Karanth, who is not only the CEO of CWS, is the soul of an India that takes care of its natural and environmental heritage.. Thus, following our efforts to support giant turtles, royal eagles, and elephants, we continue this journey of discovery and conservation, focusing particularly on the tiger, an emblematic creature, deeply rooted in the collective imagination as a regal and literary symbol, and one that truly deserves to be protected.