The history of the famous Wimbledon towels began in 1850 when the Manchester cotton mill Christy started weaving what would later become some of the most renowned towels in the world. Reports suggest that one of the earliest models was made for the Queen of England. In 1987, Christy became the official towel supplier for Wimbledon, and over the next two decades, these items were designed, woven, and refined in Britain, being a truly British item for a truly British sporting institution.
The situation changed subtly in 2006 when the Indian home textile company Welspun acquired Christy. Production did not move instantly. The brand's design heritage remained at the Christy studio in Manchester, but manufacturing gradually relocated to Welspun Living facilities in Gujarat, a transition completed by 2010. Since then, every official Wimbledon towel used by players to wipe their faces, drape over their shoulders, or take with them in their luggage is produced in India.
The production of these towels is not a quick or cheap process. The towel design is approved approximately 18 months before the start of the tournament, with Christy designers working on color palettes and patterns that must be clearly visible on television under stadium lighting. Men's towels retain the signature Wimbledon colors—green, purple, and gold. Women's towels receive an updated seasonal palette each year; this year's edition was done in red and white tones, which fans dubbed the 'strawberry towel.'
Each towel takes about seven days to produce, using jacquard weaving with yarn dyeing, where colored yarns are woven directly into the fabric rather than printed on top of it. This is what gives the towels their multi-layered, richly textured look and ensures that a pulled thread does not disrupt the pattern. The cloths are made at Welspun Living sites in Vapi, in the Valsad district of Gujarat state, and in Anjar, in the Kutch state. The Welspun group, as the parent company, is among the largest home textile manufacturers globally, and the Anjar factory has completely eliminated freshwater consumption, instead using treated wastewater.
For many years, players were required to return their towels after matches. However, this rule barely withstood contact with reality, and Wimbledon abandoned this practice. Players are no longer expected to routinely hand back towels, and Christy estimates that only about 15% of official towels are returned annually. During the 2025 Championships, approximately 500 towels were lost daily.
Players treat this without apology. Novak Djokovic mentioned back in 2016 that he travels with an extra suitcase to Wimbledon specifically for towels, admitting that he satisfies many requests from people at home, and joked that he pretends to sweat more to get extra ones. Roger Federer collected them as gifts for family and friends. When Iga Świątek's habit of collecting towels went viral, her response was simple: 'Then I have to steal even more.'
As for the club, it decided this was more of a feature than a flaw. All England Club CEO Sally Bolton expressed delight that the towel is such a coveted item, pointing to store sales as proof that fans want to own it as much as the players do. The retail version sells for around £40, and people queue up for it.
It is easy to view this story as a fun fact, and it is indeed a good fact. But it is also a vivid illustration of a much larger process quietly occurring in global manufacturing: the most visible, most nationally branded items in the most traditional world institutions are increasingly being produced somewhere else, and almost no one notices.
The Indian textile industry won this contract not with loud declarations. It secured it because it was good enough, reliable, and cost-effective enough for a 176-year-old British brand with a legacy to agree to transfer part of the process—the actual making of the item that customers considered non-negotiable. Sometimes the most convincing evidence of a country's manufacturing power is not a headline. It is the towel draped over a champion's shoulders on Centre Court, and the fact that no one asked where it came from.
The Kapoor sisters are known for always making any special moment unforgettable with their unique style. A similar spectacle was observed at Anshula Kapoor and Rohan Thakkar's colorful mehndi ceremony in Mumbai.
Jhanvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, and Shanaya Kapoor were present at this celebration, each presenting a completely unique and distinctive look. At this very important and joyful family event, the style of each sister was so original and glamorous that everyone present couldn't take their eyes off them.
At the mehndi ceremony, Jhanvi Kapoor brought a modern and stylish touch to her traditional look. She wore a beautiful pastel-toned, open-shoulder top. The delicate print and embroidery on the dress added elegance. To complete her look, she wore large, heavy earrings and left her hair down with a wavy effect, which complemented the overall appearance.
For this ceremony, Khushi Kapoor chose a classic yet very royal look. She wore a beautiful golden-bronze silk saree, whose border was adorned with intricate work. She paired this saree with a magnificent blouse featuring rich embroidery and beads. Finishing her ethnic look with a low bun and jhumka earrings, she achieved a perfect finale.
Unlike her sisters, Shanaya Kapoor approached the event more experimentally and boldly. Her style looked very striking. She wore a coordinated Indo-Western ensemble in shades of yellow and pastel pink. This outfit consisted of a yellow bralette-style top, complemented by a matching dupatta and a printed skirt. To add an Indian touch to her modern look, Shanaya wore a maang tikka, a choker necklace, and a handful, all of which suited her very well.
The question arises as to why in Delhi shopping centers such as Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, or Gandhi Nagar, jeans that cost 5000 rupees in large department stores can be found for only 800 or 1000 rupees. The initial reaction of most people is to assume that such a low price means a counterfeit. However, the real situation is more complex.
Although some items may indeed be counterfeit, a significant portion of the inexpensive clothing is explained by other reasons. Social media often circulates videos and posts claiming that very cheap clothing is sourced from the clothes of deceased people, but currently, there is no credible evidence or official confirmation of these claims. In many cases, cheap clothing represents export surplus, factory remnants, or goods with minor defects sold at a reduced price. Therefore, one should rely only on verified information, not on viral statements on social media.
It is interesting that this entire process originates not in any specific store or market, but in numerous large factories where products for well-known global fashion brands are manufactured. Every year, thousands of factories in India produce millions of units of clothing, most of which are exported to countries such as America, Europe, and other nations worldwide. This is why India has become an important center of the global apparel industry.
In cities like Noida, Gurugram, Tirupur, Bangalore, and Ludhiana, thousands of factories operate around the clock. Millions of items for international brands, including Zara, H&M, Levi's, Puma, Adidas, and Marks & Spencer, are produced in these factories. After inspection, most of the products are sent to America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East. However, here begins the most curious twist of the story that few people know about.
Not every item produced is sent abroad. Some items remain in India due to overproduction, export surplus, inventory clearance, or other reasons, and are then supplied to our markets through various supply channels. This is what allows people to buy branded shirts or jeans for half or even less than their actual cost. Shmim Ahmed, owner of the Kanha Collection showroom in Gandhi Nagar, explained how branded clothing becomes affordable in Delhi markets. He stated that if a foreign brand orders 100 thousand T-shirts, the factory sometimes produces 103 or 105 thousand pieces for safety purposes to guarantee order fulfillment, even if some details are rejected during quality control. These excess goods, known as export surplus, can subsequently reach local markets through different channels.
Another important reason is exceeding the required production volume, known as 'overrun'. Furthermore, when a brand prepares a new collection, old stock is sold off with significant discounts to quickly make room. This stock then ends up in factory outlets, discount stores, or wholesale traders. This is why you can find the same branded shirt or jeans in some places for half the price you saw in a department store several months ago.
Yusuf, who runs a shop in Kamla Nagar, notes that not all cheap branded items sold in India are manufactured domestically. Some goods arrive from countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Sri Lanka. These countries are major apparel production centers where many international fashion brands conduct their manufacturing. Sometimes, goods for inventory liquidation or authorized surplus arrive from these countries to international traders, which can then reach Indian wholesale markets.
Regarding the import of used clothing from other countries, the situation is more complicated. Many countries around the world have a long tradition of charity and second-hand sales. People in America, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and other European countries often donate or sell clothing they have worn for a short time or after changing styles. Some of this clothing is sold in local second-hand shops, and some is exported to other countries. Nevertheless, India has regulations regarding the import of used clothing, and not every piece of second-hand clothing can be directly put on sale in stores. Consequently, it is incorrect to assume that all cheap clothing in the market is imported and used.
Sarojini Nagar is considered not just a market, but a real treasure trove for fashion lovers. Here, you can find trendy clothing, export surplus, clearance items, and various fashion goods in one place. If you know how to bargain, the price can be even lower. Lajpat Nagar is known for quality clothing and ethnic fashion, while Gandhi Nagar is considered Asia's largest wholesale market for ready-made clothing, from which clothing is supplied to many states in the country. The Jafarabad area in Delhi is also known for its wedding attire and lehenga business. In some shops there, you can find used or once-or-twice-worn wedding outfits at a low price, although this is not guaranteed in all stalls.
It is extremely important to be vigilant because alongside export surpluses in the market, you can encounter fakes, replicas, and unlicensed products. Many people mistake a brand logo for a guarantee of authenticity, although reality may be different. For quality purchases, one should always carefully examine the seams, fabric, labels, buttons, zippers, and workmanship. One should not trust only the brand name in any store.
The answer to why clothing is so cheap lies not in one, but in multiple factors: export surplus, overrun, inventory clearance, factory outlets, and the network of large wholesalers. This is why the same type of clothing can have a different price in different places. Next time you see branded jeans for 800 rupees or a branded shirt for 500 rupees, do not rush to assume it is a fake. It might be export surplus, part of a clearance sale, or the result of overproduction at the factory. It is also possible that it is a first copy.
