Bags of Ethics and British Fashion Council Celebrate Diwali 2024

On October 15, 2024, the Royal Automobile Club in St. James’, London, buzzed with excitement as Caroline Rush CBE, CEO of the British Fashion Council, co-hosted a vibrant Diwali celebration with Dr. R. Sri Ram, Founder of Bags of Ethics by Supreme Creations. This annual event honoured Diwali, the Festival of Lights, one of the most significant Indian celebrations of the year.

The evening began with heartfelt remarks from both hosts, emphasising the importance of Diwali as a time for reflection, unity, and cultural exchange. Guests from diverse sectors, including creative, retail, fashion, education, sustainability, and government, gathered to celebrate cultural connections from South Asia, the UK, and beyond.

A lighting ceremony was performed by guests including Peter Ruis, Executive Director, John Lewis, Christine Kasoulis, Director, Sainsbury’s, Jeremy Soames, Caroline Rush CBE, CEO, British Fashion Council; David Pemsel, Chair, British Fashion Council; Dame Zandra Rhodes, Vivek Sahni, Founder, Kama Ayurveda; Charlotte Tezenas de Milleret – MD, Kama Ayurveda, Rupert Daniels, Director, Department for Business and Trade; Phil Ridge, Group Creative and Marketing Director, WH Smith and actress Laila Rouass.

Guests enjoyed an array of traditional South Asian delicacies, showcasing the rich tapestry of flavours and culinary heritage from India and beyond. A key highlight of the evening was a charity raffle organised to benefit The Wings of Hope Achievement Awards (WOHAA), aimed at supporting educational projects across the UK, India, and Malawi.

Smruti Sriram, CEO of Bags of Ethics, remarked, “We believe that the values of Diwali—peace, hope, and light—and the incredible crafts of South Asia deserve a place in the heart of London and beyond. For over twenty-five years, we have been serving the luxury, retail, and fashion industries with sustainable packaging and merchandise. Although our headquarters are in London, our factory in Pondicherry, India, is the heart of where the magic happens. As the second and third generations of the South Asian diaspora come to lead some of the world’s most well-known organisations—from government to finance, fashion to advertising, tech to hospitality—Diwali has become a go-to event for people to celebrate heritage and community.”

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Bags of Ethics, which has been serving the luxury, retail, and fashion industries with sustainable packaging and merchandise. With an 80% female-led workforce, the factory in Pondicherry plays a crucial role in the company’s operations. This was the first year Bags of Ethics co-hosted their annual Diwali party with the British Fashion Council (BFC), following a successful trip earlier this year with Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of BFC, and the UK’s Department for Business and Trade to Pondicherry in April.

Guests came from Harrods, Soho House, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, UAL, London Business School, Aashni and Co, HSBC, eBay, Kama Ayurveda, Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue Business, Bicester Village, NIKE, Apple, and many more.

As guests mingled and shared stories, the atmosphere was enriched by dance performances by the well-known Kathak Rockers dance group led by Bollywood choreographer and dancer Kumar Sharma. The sense of community and collaboration was palpable, with connections forged among attendees from various sectors, each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of the creative industry.

We extend our gratitude to all who attended and participated in making this event a resounding success.

From all of us at Bags of Ethics and the British Fashion Council, we wish everyone a happy, peaceful, and prosperous Diwali!