Vijaypat Singhania, who gave recognition to brands like Raymond across the country, passed away at the age of 87, his last rites will be held today at 3 pm at Chandanwadi cremation ground in Mumbai. Information about Vijaypat’s death was given by his son Gautam Singhania on social media. The name of Vijaypat Singhania is included among the eminent industrialists of India, who brought Raymond Group from a small textile business to global recognition. Raymond started as a simple textile mill in 1925, mainly producing woolen uniforms for the army. Vijaypat took charge of the company in 1980 and gave it the identity of Modern Industrial Group.
Journey from army uniform to branded suit
Raymond made his mark in his early years by designing uniforms for the Indian Army. Gradually, understanding the needs of common consumers, the company entered the readymade garments and premium suiting-shirting segments. Famous campaigns like The Complete Man made Raymond popular in every section of the country. Raymond opened its first retail showroom in the country in 1958 in Mumbai.
growing business empire
Today Raymond Group is not limited to textiles only. The company has also expanded into sectors like real estate, engineering and FMCG. There are more than 1500 showrooms in 600 cities of the country, where clothes of more than 20 thousand colors and designs are available. Besides, it also has a strong presence in international markets. About 6500 employees work in the company. Raymond is considered to be India’s largest worsted fabric manufacturer and its fabric is exported to many countries.
Family disputes and changing times
However, controversies were also associated with this success. The property dispute between Vijaypat Singhania and his son Gautam Singhania remained in the headlines. This affected the company’s image, but had only limited impact on business operations.
Heritage and identity
Vijaypat Singhania was not only a successful industrialist but also an aviation enthusiast and record holding pilot. Under his leadership, Raymond created a distinct identity in the Indian fashion industry. Today Raymond’s empire is worth thousands of crores of rupees and it is counted among the most trusted brands of India. This journey that started with army uniform has today become a strong pillar in the global fashion and lifestyle industry.