INDIA CALLING: Dior has named actress Sonam Kapoor a brand ambassador, reflecting the luxury label’s ambitions in the rapidly growing Indian market.
The Bollywood star, who has 35 million followers on Instagram, will represent the collections created by Maria Grazia Chiuri, creative director of womenswear at Dior, WWD has learned exclusively.
“A multitalented personality, the actress, producer and fashion icon henceforth embodies the audacity, grace and elegance of Dior style, a femininity constantly reinvented. More than ever, this unique alliance celebrates the powerful cultural ties that have united Dior and India since the very beginning of the house,” Dior said in a statement.
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Considered Bollywood royalty, Kapoor is the daughter of actor and producer Anil Kapoor and Sunita Kapoor, a costume designer and former model.
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Having made her screen debut in 2007 in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Saawariya,” she found popular success with romantic comedies including “I Hate Luv Storys” and super-productions like “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.”
Kapoor has also won critical acclaim in more dramatic roles like “Neerja,” the story of flight purser Neerja Bhanot, who was killed during the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in 1986 after saving the lives of many hostages on board.
The actress, who is married to businessman Anand Ahuja, is preparing to return to the screen next year after taking a career break to welcome her first child.
Kapoor has parlayed her popularity into endorsements for brands including L’Oréal Paris, Zoya Jewels and watchmaker IWC. A front row regular, she also made a runway appearance in Paris as the bride in Ralph & Russo’s fall 2017 haute couture show.
Her appearance at the Dior ready-to-wear show in September generated a total media impact value of $2.7 million, according to Launchmetrics. Dior once again won Paris Fashion Week with a total MIV of $82.7 million, the data research and insights company said.
Dior showed its pre-fall 2023 collection last year in front of the Gateway of India, one of Mumbai’s best-loved landmarks, an opportunity to showcase its longstanding collaboration with the city’s Chanakya ateliers and the Chanakya School of Craft.
“It’s an honour to be a part of Dior’s story as they continue to push the boundaries and redefine creativity and elegance in the world of fashion. Each of their collections present a truly unique vision with intricate craftsmanship, celebrating heritage in a way that deeply resonates with my own sense of style,” Kapoor said.
“This partnership is another step in the beautiful cultural synergy that has connected Dior and India over the years, and I’m excited to see where we take it next,” she added.
India’s luxury market is the fastest growing in Asia, and brands are vying to sign local faces. Bulgari has snapped up Priyanka Chopra, Louis Vuitton works with Deepika Padukone, and Tiffany & Co. has joined forces with Ranveer Singh.