Kolkata seems to be going in a big way for clothes that bear designer tag with increasing number of upmarket designer clothes stores coming up in city.
Siyaa, an elite store opened up in city a week back was a good decision. Having already opened Simaaya, another upmarket store a few years back in Kolkata, Rachit Agarwal, Proprietor of the chain.
Siyaa's stocks include collection of two Kolkata-based designers, Abhishek Dutta and Preeti Jhawar.
Their collections have been well received and are moving off the racks fast.
"In the one week that we have opened, we have sold clothes worth Rs 2 lakhs daily," says Agarwal.
Dev r Nil's, ethnic-wear range in Kolkata has outdone their western wear range and the duo get regular orders from some of the city's top names to dress them up.
"When it comes to designer wears, saris, salwar-kameez and kurtis sell the most," says Dev.
85 Lansdowne, another upscale designer store, has become a stopover for celebrities like Kareena Kapoor and Preity Zinta, who picked up clothes from the store.
Says Pooja Goenka, proprietor, "People think nothing of spending Rs50,000 on a sari."
"Kolkatans, when out shopping for clothes, on an average spend anything between Rs2,500 to 20,000. The kurtis, priced at around Rs2,500, and salwar-kameez at Rs6,000-7,000, are the favourites," says Aditi of Belong, which opened last year.
City's fast-changing socio-economicdemographics have resulted in even salaried class picking up a designer wear or two, besides city's upper crust.
Abhishek Dutta, city based designer says earlier designer clothes thought to be exclusive but presently designer clothes have become more accessible.
"Kolkata has a good market and very good designers. We have been scouting around and might decide to open up an Aza out in the city," says Dr Alka Nishar, proprietor of the store.
Recognition of the city as an important fashion stop will come finally after other high-end stores open up in city.
marketing@alchempro.com
