In 1958, well before American companies were sourcing from India, John Bissell left his position as a buyer for MacyÕs New York to work as a consultant for the Ford Foundation in order to develop IndiaÕs export potential in its emerging textile industry. What Bissell discovered was a village-based industry with a profusion of skills hidden from the world. Determined to showcase Indian handloom textiles while providing equitable employment to traditional artisans, Bissell established Fabindia in 1960 in order to fuse the best aspects of East/West collaboration. Fifteen years later the first Fabindia retail store was opened in Greater Kailash, New Delhi with a range of upholstery fabrics, durries and home linens. By the early eighties, we started producing garments made from hand woven and hand block printed fabrics. Over the years the focus of Fabindia's marketing shifted from exports to the local Indian retail market. What started as an export house has today become a successful retail business presenting Indian textiles in a variety of natural fibers, and home products including furniture, lights and lamps, stationery, home accessories, pottery and cutlery. Extending this partnership to the farmers in rural areas, Fabindia launched its organic food products range in 2004. Fabindia Sana, the companyÕs authentic bodycare products range is also being launched at all Fabindia outlets. Fabindia sources its products from over 15000 craft persons and artisans across India. We support the craft traditions of India by providing a market and thereby encourage and sustain rural employment. Today we have retail outlets in all major cities of India - 99 last count - in addition to 11 international stores .