Bags of Ethics and British Fashion Council Celebrate Diwali 2024

On October 15, 2024, the Royal Automobile Club in St. James’, London, became a hub of celebration and cultural exchange as Caroline Rush CBE, CEO of the British Fashion Council, and Dr. R. Sri Ram, Founder of Bags of Ethics by Supreme Creations, co-hosted a grand Diwali event.

This annual gathering, honouring Diwali—the Festival of Lights—brought together leaders from across the fashion, retail, education, sustainability, and government sectors to celebrate one of India’s most cherished festivals.

The evening began with inspiring speeches from Caroline Rush and Dr. Sri Ram, who both reflected on Diwali’s themes of reflection, unity, and hope. They emphasised how the festival serves as a bridge, connecting diverse cultures and communities, especially between South Asia and the UK. The gathering was a beautiful representation of this cultural dialogue, with a wide range of guests from creative industries and beyond.

A ceremonial lighting of the lamps marked the beginning of the festivities. Notable attendees like Peter Ruis (Executive Director, John Lewis), Christine Kasoulis (Director, Sainsbury’s), Dame Zandra Rhodes, David Pemsel (Chair, British Fashion Council), and actress Laila Rouass participated, further illuminating the atmosphere with the symbolic significance of Diwali—bringing light to dispel darkness.

Guests were treated to an exquisite selection of traditional South Asian cuisine, offering a delicious taste of India’s rich culinary heritage. One of the standout moments of the night was a charity raffle held in support of The Wings of Hope Achievement Awards (WOHAA). This initiative helps fund educational projects across the UK, India, and Malawi, ensuring that the spirit of Diwali—one of giving and uplifting others—was woven into the fabric of the celebration.

Smruti Sriram, CEO of Bags of Ethics, expressed her pride in the evening’s success and its deeper meaning. “Diwali represents peace, hope, and light, values that resonate strongly with us at Bags of Ethics. Our company, while headquartered in London, is deeply connected to South Asia, with our factory in Pondicherry at the heart of our operations. It’s an honour to celebrate this cultural heritage and to see it embraced by so many in London.”

This year marked the 25th anniversary of Supreme Creations and its sustainable label Bags of Ethics, a company that has been a leader in providing sustainable packaging and merchandise to the luxury, retail, food & drinks, and fashion industries.

With an 80% female-led workforce in Pondicherry, their commitment to ethical practices and craftsmanship was a central theme of the night. It was also the first time that Bags of Ethics co-hosted their Diwali party with the British Fashion Council, following a successful collaboration earlier in the year when Caroline Rush and the UK’s Department for Business and Trade visited Pondicherry.

The guest list was a testament to the event’s wide-reaching impact, with attendees from prestigious organisations such as Harrods, Soho House, HSBC, eBay, Vogue Business, and NIKE, among many others. The evening was made even more memorable with an electrifying dance performance by the Kathak Rockers, a group led by Bollywood choreographer Kumar Sharma, adding an artistic flair that perfectly complemented the event’s spirit of cultural celebration.

As the night ended, guests left with a sense of connection and collaboration, having celebrated not only Diwali but the vibrant creative and entrepreneurial spirit that exists between South Asia and the UK.

The British Fashion Council and Bags of Ethics extended their heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, making the evening a resounding success. From all of us, we wish you a joyful and prosperous Diwali!