The Creator of “Raymond: The Complete Man” Vijaypat Singhania: A Fascinating Story
NEW DELHI: In the history of Indian advertising, one of the most famous and enduring taglines is ‘Raymond: The Complete Man’. Conceived in post-liberalization India, this tagline carved out a distinct identity for itself, standing apart from those advertisements for men’s clothing that merely projected a stereotypical masculine image. The ‘Raymond Man’ was sensitive, responsible, and emotional. He played with his young child, respected his childhood teacher, and allowed a child to pin a flower onto his wedding suit. As cable television reached Indian households and an increasing number of women entered the workforce, a profound shift in values occurred; sharing responsibilities became a necessity.
It was against this backdrop that the ‘Raymond Man’ captured the hearts of the masses, thereby becoming one of the greatest success stories in the world of advertising and one of India’s longest-running taglines.
Vijaypat Singhania—former Chairman of the Raymond Group and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan—who played a pivotal role in establishing the brand as one of the most trusted names in the world of men’s fashion, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 87. He was also an accomplished aviator and held the world record for reaching the highest altitude in a hot air balloon. This textile titan was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2006. Singhania led Raymond as its Chairman for two decades, until the year 2000. He subsequently handed over the reins of the company to his son, Gautam, and transferred his 37% stake in the company to him as well. His son, Gautam Singhania—the current Chairman and Managing Director of the Raymond Group—wrote on X: “With deep sorrow and grief, we announce the passing of Padma Bhushan Dr. Vijaypat Kailashpat Singhania. He was a visionary leader, a philanthropist, and an inspiring personality whose legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations to come.” Vijaypat Singhania’s final rites were performed on Sunday at Chandanwadi. He is survived by his wife, Asha Devi Singhania, and his children: Madhupati Singhania, Shefali Ruia, and Gautam Singhania. Born on October 4, 1938, Singhania assumed the chairmanship of the Raymond Group in 1980. He played a pivotal role in transforming the company into a formidable force; although legal disputes between Vijaypat and Gautam persisted for several years starting in 2015, a reconciliation was reached between them in 2024.
Industrialist Vijaypat Singhania carved a unique niche for himself within the illustrious world of corporate titans. His leadership at Raymond—serving as Chairman and Managing Director since 1980 (a tenure that began a full decade before the economic liberalization of 1991, which paved the way for the rise of the Indian consumer)—ensured that the textile brand, unlike many of its contemporaries, remained resilient in the face of adversity.
An avid adventurer and aviation enthusiast, for Singhania, the sky truly was the limit; he was a rare breed of corporate leader who did not hesitate to undertake daring feats beyond the confines of the boardroom.
His achievements in both spheres—business and adventure—garnered him immense acclaim; he was honored with the ‘Padma Bhushan’ (India’s third-highest civilian award) as well as the ‘Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.’
In November 2005, at the age of 67, Singhania set a world record by ascending to an altitude of approximately 69,000 feet in a hot air balloon. Prior to that, in 1988, he set a ‘Speed-over-Time Endurance Record’ by flying solo from London to New Delhi in a microlight aircraft over a span of 23 days. In 1994, the Indian Air Force conferred upon him the rank of ‘Honorary Air Commodore’ in recognition of his flying experience, which exceeded 5,000 hours, while in 2006, he was appointed the ‘Sheriff’ of Mumbai. In the business sphere, Singhania expanded Raymond’s operations to include synthetic textiles, denim, steel, industrial files, and cement, thereby building a diversified industrial conglomerate.
In March 2007, Dr. Singhania was appointed Chairman of the Governing Council of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad—a position he held until 2012. Singhania handed over the reins of the Raymond Group to his son, Gautam Singhania, in the year 2000, yet he remained active in public life. However, in recent times, his public appearances had become significantly less frequent. A few years ago, a legal dispute had erupted between Vijaypat and Gautam Singhania; however, according to reports, they subsequently resolved those issues amicably.
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