Italian luxury brand GUCCI has launched its Ancora Spring Summer 2024 collection in India. This marks the debut collection of GUCCI's new Creative Director, Sabato De Sarno. In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Global Brand Ambassador Alia Bhatt spoke about her collaboration with the brand and her vision for the future.
When asked about the association, Alia Bhatt said, "The collaboration felt like a big moment in my life, not just because I am the first Indian global brand ambassador, but because it signified GUCCI's interest in India. The brand wanted a face that resonated with a demographic interested in fashion, which was a huge moment for me and for India. It happened quickly, with my first appearance and announcement occurring just two months after initial conversations."
The Ancora SS24 collection reflects Sabato's vision for the brand, focusing on wearability and personal expression. Each piece is designed to make one feel at home, encouraging mixing and matching with one’s favorite jeans or cherished pieces, just like Alia did during her shoot in Milan.
Speaking about her conversations with the new creative director, Alia praised his instinctive approach and appreciation for individuality. She highlighted their shared love for capturing real, unfiltered moments, which is evident in the recent eyewear campaign they worked on together.
When asked about her love for sarees, Alia expressed her desire to see a GUCCI-inspired saree collection, blending traditional Indian elegance with Gucci's iconic style. "That's my dream! I'm definitely putting that energy out into the universe. I have to pick the right moment. It would be a first, and it would be incredible to merge the elegance of a saree with Gucci's style," said Alia.
Apart from being the first Indian Global Brand Ambassador of GUCCI, Alia is also an entrepreneur and serial investor. The actress sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail Ventures in Ed-a-mama, a kid and maternity wear brand. Ed-a-mamma is looking to enter new categories like baby furniture, stories, animated series.
When asked to elaborate on the timelines, Alia said, “There is a lot planned for this year. I am a storyteller at heart, and we can expect the stories vertical to come out in June this year.”
She has also invested in several startups and looks for stories that connect with her beliefs and have the potential for significant growth.
One of her investments, Phool, resonates deeply with her environmental consciousness, as they repurpose temple flower waste into incense, aligning with her vision for a sustainable future.
“My team brought me the presentation, and I was like yeah, let's do it. And they were like, maybe you should meet with the founder. And I met the founder over zoom in a car ride. Phool’s idea met so much with my belief of what we can do for our planet,” said Alia.
Her other investment, Super Bottoms, was another compelling story that aligned with her values and she believes has the potential for significant growth.
The National Award Winner dons many hats. She turned producer with the super hit Darlings, and her latest project, "Jigra," co-produced with Dharma Productions, is set to release on September 27.
While she continues to explore new avenues in her career, balancing her professional life with her role as a mother is of utmost importance. Alia reflects on achieving work-life balance, emphasising the importance of being present for her daughter, Raha, while juggling various roles.
She acknowledges the challenges but remains optimistic about the future. Alia said, “My husband and I very early on decided that either of us should be there available for Raha at all times. So we are all constantly splitting roles. If I am traveling, he is at home, if he is at a shoot, I am at home, because one of us wants to be with her at all times. And if we can't manage the schedule, we have grandparents ready to kind of jump up and be happy helpers.”
“But I have to be very honest with you, the balance is never going to be easy. Women and men in our country have worked for years, and brought up kids and kids have grown up and they have just become their own person. But as a parent, as a mother, you are just always worried and nervous. Whether you are making the right decision or not. I think the day I became a mother, I opened my life up to worry, non-stop. So I am always worrying and I am just very comfortable with worrying. And all I can say is I do my best and you know, leave everything up to the rest.”
In a fun rapid-fire round, Alia revealed her favorite Gucci accessory, her pick for Raha from the collection, and three words to describe her fashion style. She also sings a line from a song that best describes her association with GUCCI, showcasing her versatile talents and her deep connection with the brand.
Founded in Florence, Italy, in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury brands. It is part of the global luxury group Kering, which manages renowned Houses in fashion, leather goods, jewelry, and eyewear.
(Edited by : Anand Singha)
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