On the political ground India’s relationship with Pakistan might fluctuates on a high frequency, but Indian fashion designers are finding the loops to drape business opportunities in their neighbourhood country. Based on the recent report published by The Economic Times, there are many Indian designers and brands which are keen to expand their business in Pakistan. The enthusiasm is encouraged by the growing popularity of India-made Sherwanis and Salwars, among brand conscious customers of Pakistan.
Despite their huge popularity in Pakistan, Indian designers did not have standalone stores in Pakistan as “there are a lot of political and regulatory issues involved”, said Anjalee Kapoor of the designer duo label Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor. She recently participated in a fashion week organised in Pakistan. “About 30% of the customers at our store in Dubai are Pakistanis,” she added.
The initial step, though, has been taken by the India’s glossy multi-designer fashion group Kimaya Fashions. The Mumbai-based brand has recently inked a master franchisee contract in Pakistan with Lahore-based fashion retailer Arshadsons. As per the contract, total of six ‘Karmik’ stores in cities such as Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad over the next three years, which will be later followed by more stores in smaller towns. Karmik is an affordable designer wear format of Kimaya Fashions.
Pradeep Hirani, CMD of Karmik opined his views the opening by saying, “Fashion does not understand political boundaries like art and music, and this association is a testimony to it. We are going to introduce Indian top designers like Rohit Bal, JJ Valaya, Anamika Khanna, Neeta Lulla, Rocky.S, Rina Dhaka, Ritu Beri, Shantanu & Nikhil,Ranna Gill, Kavita Bhartia to Pakistan through its first store going to open in Lahore by end of August. We have inked a new page in history of Indian fashion through this deal with Pakistan’s leading fashion retailers and master franchisers Arshadsons. The plan now is to take Karmik to other neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh, and to include few Pakistani and Dhaka designers to our repertoire of top Indian designers for Karmik.”
He adds, “As part of this master-franchise deal with Lahore-based fashion retailer Arshadsons, the plan is to open six stores in cities such as Lahore,Karachi and Islamabad over the next three years, followed by smaller towns. Estimated investment for this deal is around 3 million dollars over three years.”
Franchise opportunity is travelling from country to country, making a big move in erasing the tensions lingering due to heavy politics. It is indeed making route for businesses less complex, to tap markets beyond country’s boundaries. In India too, franchise market is spreading out its wings with more brands in fashion retail participating in it, creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop business of their dreams.