Modest fashion brand looks towards Pakistan
By
Shahram Haq
Published: May 2, 2017
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Rabia Z aims to benefit from the growing apparel consumer market. PHOTO RABIA Z
LAHORE: The rise in Pakistan’s fashion retail industry in recent years has been gigantic, creating space for local as well as global brands which feed the lifestyle needs of the affluent and the rising middle class.
This is especially the case in women’s apparel category, where brands are offering printed lawns and prêt wears throughout the year. However, with Pakistan being a Muslim country, another avenue for fashion-savvy ladies has started knocking the doors of the country’s retail industry.
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The ‘modest fashion’, which comprises long shirts, colourful hijabs and other such ready-to-wear apparels, at brand stores is something new for Pakistani women.
Perceiving this demand, Rabia Z, a global pioneer in modest fashion category, has decided to choose Pakistan’s lucrative market as its next destination after dominating markets in the Middle East, Europe and the United States.
In an interview with The Express Tribune, Rabia Z’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer Rabia Zargarpur said that in the next five years, the modest fashion industry will lead the Pakistani women’s wear market, leading it to become a household name.
“Pakistan is among the top 10 consumer markets in my list where people like to spend on apparels,” she said. “The country has a huge potential in fashion apparel segments, which is evident from the fact that a lot of fashion brands are already flourishing.”
The Emirati entrepreneur’s core business model revolves around e-commerce. Since the brand’s inception in 2001, she has focused on the internet to promote and expand Rabia Z’s presence throughout the globe.
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In Pakistan, the formal launch will be held this summer and it will also be based on e-commerce model. However, in future, Zargarpur plans to establish a proper retail set-up and will engineer the modest fashion apparel brand by using the country’s rich culture.
“I am very interested in starting production in Pakistan and then sourcing all the natural fabrics from here,” she said, adding that once the foundation is set, she will expand and look for outlets for wholesaling and stocking at good retail stores.
She also said she might delve into the franchise model in collaboration with some of the leading textile groups of the country.
The brand already has a presence in Pakistan with the company selling its products via e-commerce, catering to the ever-rising demand.
“Opportunity is getting bigger and bigger every time I visit Pakistan,” said Zargarpur. “In 2008, I received my first franchise request from Pakistan and since then I have always gained positive feedback from the country.”
The brand’s founder added that, in general, Muslim countries are already spending billions of dollars on apparels and global Islamic fashion clothing is among top three segments after halal food and Islamic finance.
“By 2020, it is expected that the global Muslim spending on Islamic fashion apparel could reach up to $368 billion and Pakistan, as one of the top 10 consumer markets, could definitely play its role,” she said.
However, she believes that in order to capitalise on the opportunity, big business groups should come together to support struggling designers and brands. “Women designers in Pakistan, who are designing apparels as a hobby, should consider converting it into a business with some value addition,” she said, adding that there is so much talent and rich culture in the country that the designers can increase their customer base.
“If Pakistan grooms home-grown talent, it would really change the game, and small and medium enterprises have the required potential to streamline operations and offer products to local as well as global markets.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2017.
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Pakistani fashion still has a long distance to cover: Sana Safinaz
By
Amber Liaqat
Published: May 18, 2017
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DESTINED FOR GREATNESS: Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer started back in 1989 with a seed investment of just a few thousand rupees. PHOTO
UBLICITY
LAHORE : The journey of Sana Hashwani and Safinaz Muneer started back in 1989 with a seed investment of just a few thousand rupees. Today, the designer duo is scaling new heights, both here in Pakistan as well as abroad, having celebrated their silver jubilee in the fashion industry three years ago.
But even after all this time, both Sana and Safinaz – who have been friends for 30 years and share family relations too – remain as passionate about their work as ever. Speaking with
The Express Tribune,the inspirational pair spoke about its humble beginnings and the empire that they have built together, bit by bit.
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“It’s extremely humbling and gives you a great feeling of accomplishment. We are proud of our brand; it has such staying power and such loyal customers! Our expansion has particularly been exponential over the last five years and it’s been the ride of our live,” said Sana.
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UBLICITY
Together, they are running one of Pakistan’s most profitable design houses. “At the end of the day, we are a work family. Relationships are most important, laying their foundation, building upon them and continually maintaining them. We are nothing without our relationships within our company and beyond,” they stated. Asked to share the secret behind such a thriving partnership, Sana and Safinaz added, “We very rarely have a difference of opinion. We’re like a well-oiled machine; always in sync. This is definitely one of our greatest strengths and why we have been able to keep things going so fluidly for as long as we have.”
Sana and Safinaz first began with the intention to design couture that was classic and elegant, grounded in the solid foundations of Pakistani arts and crafts. “When we started out, it was just the two of us, a few tailors and a few thousand rupees in seed money. Back then, we never could have imagined what lay in store for us ahead,” shared Safinaz.
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“That being said, it’s always been the dream and we have always got a timeline of goals in our pipeline. Yes, every single item has our approval or input in some capacity. This is the key to keeping the Sana Safinaz aesthetic strong.”
Pakistani fashion has come a long way since the duo began working and
Sana and Safinaz have been riding the waves of change as best they can. “Yes, Pakistani fashion has indeed come a long way but it still has a long distance to cover. We find it very exciting to be part of an industry that is always growing and evolving.”
As trends and ideas change in the blink of an eye, the duo sticks to their timeless aesthetics which always pays off. They revisit old trends, redefining and adapting them in sophisticated new ways. “Playful hemlines, varying lengths and dramatic sleeves are all the rage these days,” they reveal. “Also, short
kameezes have been very popular amongst brides this season, as have shades of gold, silver and red.”
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UBLICITY
Another quality SanaSafinaz is known for is participating in fashion shows regularly. Asked if they find fashion weeks to be challenging in terms of creativity, the duo responded, “Fashion Week is a great platform to showcase creative choices that may not work commercially but set the tone for a specific brand aesthetic and ethos. It can be challenging in many ways but equally rewarding.”
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On a parting note, Sana and Safinaz shared some great insight for youngsters aspiring to make it big in the fashion industry. “Work hard, play hard but always remain humble!” they advised. “Always be original and informed. Fashion is a business at the end of the day so one must be savvy on that front to be successful in this industry.” So what next for the fashion powerhouse? “You will have to wait and see! We’ve always got something exciting brewing,” they teased.