Supported by family and with access to luxury, the young in India are spending on big-ticket brands

For Mumbai girl Netri Aggarwal, it started with a Gucci belt, bought two years ago. At last count, her collection included one Louis Vuitton bag, a pair of Gucci heels, a Cavalli bag, two Prada bags and one Stella McCartney bag. Thats not bad for someone who is just turning 20. When asked about her relatively vast luxury collection, Aggarwal says, My mom introduced me to the world of luxury when she bought me branded items whenever she travelled. Aggarwal, an aspiring fashion designer, developed an eye for luxurious accessories, and soon she was buying them herself, with the proceeds she got from selling her artwork.

If you think Aggarwal is a rarity, youll be mistaken. Flush with high disposable incomes, and armed with knowledge of high fashion, thanks to umpteen fashion magazines and blogs, many young Indians are indulging in their love for the good life. High on their list of desirables are items such as Prada sunnies, Givenchy watches, Tods loafers and Bottega Veneta clutches unlike their counterparts in the rest of the world who are content with garage sale and vintage finds. These youngsters know their brands and think that dropping upto half a lakh rupees on a bag is worth it. There is a feel-good factor, says Reema Sablok, 27. The Mumbai-based make-up artist is partial to Salvatore Ferragamo because the Italian brands bags and shoes dont scream out for attention. The quality is fantastic, she says.