When it comes to splashing their cash, nothing does it for India’s Gen Y like fashion. The rise of global brands is fuelling fanaticism for labels like Zara and Forever 21. But what’s behind the spending spree – heady consumerism pure and simple, or a new brand of self-expression?

With international fashion brands making competition on the Australian high street even more intense, a new generation of home-grown brands are building fiercely loyal style tribes both online and off. But can these emerging fashion cults fend off global competition?

Khadi, a traditional Indian hand-woven cloth, was once the sartorial symbol of India's independence movement that was worn by Gandhi. It's now become popular again among stylish younger generations, but this time it’s because of its green credentials.

In India, discussing Bollywood in the classroom used to be taboo. But as the popularity of media studies grows, some now argue that intelligently discussing popular culture and how to engage with it is better for young people than simply ignoring its existence.

The number of High Net-worth Individuals in India shot up by 22% in 2012. In response, insurance companies have started selling cover for personal possessions such as clothes, shoes and bags - the collective value of which can equal the price of a small apartment.

Asia's growing economies are creating new opportunities, but how equal are they? How are labels used to categorise professional Asian women, and how can brands communicate with this powerful consumer demographic in a meaningful and relevant way?

The Western trend for not using shampoo to increase the cleanliness of hair is becoming more popular in India, due to the movement's celebrity following. But if ‘No Poo’ is catching on, then why do shampoo sales continue to rise by 14% every year?

Research has revealed that the spending habits of the average Indian, both urban and rural, is changing dramatically. The biggest expense continues to be food, accounting for 48% of the average budget, perhaps explaining the continued high prices in this sector.