People often forget that the fashion industry is, well, an actual industry and not just a bunch of runway shows, beautiful models and egomaniacal designers. This enlightening interview with V.P. Sharma, CEO of Mitra Adiperkasa, offers us an insider's view of the world's fashion industry. It's an equally great read for business-savvy individuals and fashionistas alike.

With licenses to market more than 100 global brands from Zara to Reebok, Jakarta-listed PT Mitra Adi Perkasa (MAP) is gearing up for 25 percent growth next year as more Indonesians enter the middle-class. V. P. Sharma, company CEO and self-confessed luxury fashion brand consumer, recently spoke with The Jakarta Post’s Mariel Grazella on the essentials of leading the fashion retail pack.

Question: MAP has an extensive brand portfolio with many of the brands becoming fixtures in the lifestyles of fashionable people. What has been the key to this retailing astuteness?

Answer: Our business is not about big technology or plants for machinery; it is all about the people. We started our company in 1990 and we have a number of very good people who have been working with us for those 22 years. Read More