CMAI Opens 81st National Garment Fair with Optimism

The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) inaugurated the 81st National Garment Fair (NGF) – Women’s and Men’s wear edition in Mumbai, with participation from prominent retail leaders representing 70 stores nationwide.

The opening ceremony featured Guests of Honour from across India, including Siddharth Jalan (Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati), Sathish Gurram (GV Mall, Khammam), Kiran Vora (Asopalav, Ahmedabad), Manzoor Husain Gori (Pakiza Retails, Indore), Mrunal Bankapur (BS Channabasappa & Sons, Karnataka), Satish Mantri (Shree Shivam Attire, Indore), Sanjay Agarwal (Sanjay Textile Store, Jaipur), and Dharamshi Champshi Chheda (Rajwadi Emporium India, Valsad).

Mrunal Bankapur shared, “I’m glad to be part of this event that connects the entire garment industry. With 20,000 potential buyers, NGF is a great stepping stone for the industry. I always recommend newcomers to attend NGF—it’s where they’ll find the right partners.”

Sanjay Agarwal thanked CMAI for its continuous support in regulatory matters and the industry’s progress, while Kiran Vora, a regular attendee for 32 years, praised NGF for simplifying sourcing by presenting the latest trends under one roof.

Held from July 14–16, 2025, the fair is one of the largest trade platforms for India’s apparel industry. It covers over 37,000 sqm—15,300+ sqm for men’s wear, 21,200+ sqm for women’s wear, and 680 sqm for accessories—featuring over 800 apparel and 40+ accessory brands. Over 20,000 buyers are expected.

CMAI President Santosh Katariya commented on the evolving Indian apparel market, projected to hit US$146 billion by 2029. “Beyond rising incomes and urbanisation, fashion is now a form of identity and expression. The industry must be agile and consumer-centric,” he said.

Fair Committee Chairman Rohit Munjal noted the record-breaking response to this edition, with quick stall bookings and a growing waitlist, underscoring the strength of the women’s and men’s wear sectors.

Anand Chokshi, Joint Chairman of CMAI’s Fair Sub-Committee, observed that while menswear emphasizes functionality and womenswear remains occasion-driven, growth trends now include digital adoption, tier-2 expansion, and demand for sustainable, personalised fashion.

CMAI invites all industry professionals to be part of this pivotal event and witness India’s apparel sector evolve at NGF 2025.