Welcome to the most fashionable season of the year – winter, a time for colourcoordination, balancing volumes and layers, and smart use of textures. There was a time when winter wear in India was all about functional warm apparel, but things have changed signifi cantly over the last few years. Today, fashion and winter wear walk side-byside and Indians are at par with theirs global peers when it comes to making a fashion statement during this season.Overall, the winter wear market has evolved immensely, and is growing at an exponential rate as a result of the shift in lifestyle and preferences of our people. Even in the hinterlands of the Tier II, III and smaller towns and cities, the category is witnessing tremendous demand with a marked inclination towards brands. As per India’s premier management consulting fi rm, pegged at US 2.7 billion in 2018 the winter wear market in India now contributes 5 percent to the total Indian apparel market. Moreover, the segment is now enjoying a healthy CAGR of 4 percent and is expected to become a US 3.95 billion market by 2028. Looking at these fi gures, it’s safe to say that winter wear is undeniably one of the most lucrative emerging segments in the Indian fashion retail market presently, promising immense opportunities for brands and retailers alike.The December edition of IMAGES Business of Fashion has been able to collate an absorbing account of the current dynamics of the Indian winter wear market. Right from the market size and demand of the various sub-categories, key growth drivers, emerging products and categories to shifting consumer preferences and current innovations, the issue packs an insightfulnarrative for both established brands and emerging brands trying to make a mark in this segment.I hope you like reading this issue as much as we enjoyed writing it.We look forward to seeing you all at our fl agship event – India Fashion Forum, the 20th edition, to be held at Hotel Conrad, Bengaluru on December 17-18.Cheers