Giorgio Armani and Gucci clearly understand that strong brands make for profitable businesses. They are not merely selling fashion, they are selling an image: Something consumers are willing to pay a premium for.

While Europeans remain cautious overall, many consumers seem to think economic confidence has either hit a plateau or increased slightly.

Socially and economically, India continues to develop at a galloping rate compared to the rest of the world. Indian consumers are enjoying greater spending power today than at any time in their recent history. Life continues to get better for Indians and consumer confidence is at an all time high.

I never truckled; I never took off the hat to Fashion and held it out for pennies. By God, I told them the truth.

It's three months of work for a 15-minute fashion show. It's an exposure students don't usually have if it weren't for their faculty. There's a difference between being there live or seeing it on the Internet.

My advice to young film-makers is this: Don't follow trends, Start them!