Fashion world dons new look for Eid-ul-Fitr

For this year’s Eid, fashion houses, boutiques and malls have decked up their shops with new collections on display. Store-owners say though the business is stable at present, it is yet to pick up momentum. Azaharul Haque Azad, former president of the Fashion Entrepreneurs’ Association of Bangladesh (FEBA), told The Independent that buyers have not started shopping in a big way yet, but sales would pick up and gain momentum in the days ahead. He said the clothing market size of this festival is approximately Tk. 4,000 crore.            

Azad is also the owner of the renowned fashion house ‘Sadakalo’. “We are expecting to make 15-20 per cent more profit than we did during last year's Eid-ul-Fitr," he said.            

Talking about the latest trend, Azad said: “‘Nature digital painting’ is the latest trend this Eid. We wanted to bring natural painting and their uniqueness in our product designs.”  

“We digitally printed paintings on clothes by using digital printing machines,” he added.   

‘Sadakalo’ brings other designs like Polka dots for sari, salwar-kameez and single kameez. Cotton-based light products are being sold ahead of the festival as they are simple, comfortable and affordable to wear in summer, said Azad.

“We have chosen to use this theme on most of our clothes this time to depict our culture and tradition,” he added.         

Describing the price ranges, Azad said: "‘Sadakalo’ is showcasing a unique collection of attire for men, women, and kids."

The product of men's wear or products such as panjabi, t-shirt, shirt, kurta, fatua, fitting punjabi and uttorio pajama will be available during this festival.      

The price of panjabi ranges from Tk. 850 to Tk. 2,500, while sari prices range from Tk. 1,400 to Tk. 15,000.

Talking about the e-commerce business, Azad said: “‘Sadakalo’ operates online business through its website. We receive payments through ‘Bkash’ or other financial platforms.”

Speaking of the challenges facing this sector, Azad said the dresses coming into the country from outside do not follow any rules and regulations. "They do not pay VAT or taxes. So, the government should frame proper guidelines to make the sector sustainable," he added.

Azad also wants the government to recognise this sector as a separate industry as FEBA was formed in 2014 to bring the entire fashion industry under the commerce ministry to get recognition as a separate industry.

The fashion and boutique sector is booming in Bangladesh. Even though the market is still small compared to those of the neighbouring countries, the country is making rapid progress to catch up with the others, he said.

Anjan, another fashion house, is celebrating this Eid with a brand new line of clothes, featuring a variety of different kameez cuts, long patterns and fabrics.  

Talking about the price ranges, Shaheen Ahmed, owner of Anjan and president of FEBA, said ‘Anjan’ is showcasing a unique collection of dresses for men, women, and kids.

The price of panjabi ranges from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500, while sari prices range from Tk. 2,500 to Tk. 5,000. T-shirt and fatua starts from Tk. 550 and goes up to Tk. 2,000.

Besides, Anjan is selling jewellery and clothes for children. "We sell products online, but the quantity is limited,” said Shaheen Ahmed.

Kapoor-e-Bangla, a prominent local fashion house, is showcasing unique collections of dresses for men, women, and kids for this Eid. “This years’ Eid is a bit special for us. Because of the summer season, we are focusing on comfortable linen and cotton dresses for our customers,” said Bithun, the owner.

Products with hand embroidery designs are the trend at this moment, he added.

The product line for men this festival season consists of fatua, panjabi and kurta. Fatua prices range from Tk. 500 to Tk. 1,200, panjabis cost between Tk. 900 and Tk. 2,200, while kurtas are priced at Tk. 950 to Tk. 1,300. For women, Kapoor-e-Bangla has lined up single kameez and orna. Single kameez pieces are in the range of Tk. 950 to Tk. 1,550, while orna ranges from Tk. 220 to Tk. 650.

Maruf Hossain, a vendor who sells different types of trousers, shirts, jerseys and panjabis on the footpath at Motijheel, said he has not made a good profit so far. He, however, is expecting the sales to pick up this week.

Fashion world dons new look for Eid-ul-Fitr

For this years Eid, fashion houses, boutiques and malls have decked up their shops with new collections on display. Store-owners say though the business is stable at present, it is yet to pick up momentum. Azaharul Haque Azad, former president of the Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (FEBA), told The Independent that buyers have not started shopping in a big way yet, but sales would pick up and gain momentum in the days ahead. He said the clothing market size of this festival is approximately Tk. 4,000 crore. Azad is also the owner of the renowned fashion house Sadakalo. We are expecting to make 15-20 per cent more profit than we did during last years Eid-ul-Fitr, he said. Talking about the latest trend, Azad said: Nature digital painting is the latest trend this Eid. We wanted to bring natural painting and their uniqueness in our product designs. We digitally printed paintings on clothes by using digital printing machines, he added. Sadakalo brings other designs like Polka dots for sari, salwar-kameez and single kameez. Cotton-based light products are being sold ahead of the festival as they are simple, comfortable and affordable to wear in summer, said Azad. We have chosen to use this theme on most of our clothes this time to depict our culture and tradition, he added. Describing the price ranges, Azad said: Sadakalo is showcasing a unique collection of attire for men, women, and kids. The product of mens wear or products such as panjabi, t-shirt, shirt, kurta, fatua, fitting punjabi and uttorio pajama will be available during this festival. The price of panjabi ranges from Tk. 850 to Tk. 2,500, while sari prices range from Tk. 1,400 to Tk. 15,000. Talking about the e-commerce business, Azad said: Sadakalo operates online business through its website. We receive payments through Bkash or other financial platforms. Speaking of the challenges facing this sector, Azad said the dresses coming into the country from outside do not follow any rules and regulations. They do not pay VAT or taxes. So, the government should frame proper guidelines to make the sector sustainable, he added. Azad also wants the government to recognise this sector as a separate industry as FEBA was formed in 2014 to bring the entire fashion industry under the commerce ministry to get recognition as a separate industry. The fashion and boutique sector is booming in Bangladesh. Even though the market is still small compared to those of the neighbouring countries, the country is making rapid progress to catch up with the others, he said. Anjan, another fashion house, is celebrating this Eid with a brand new line of clothes, featuring a variety of different kameez cuts, long patterns and fabrics. Talking about the price ranges, Shaheen Ahmed, owner of Anjan and president of FEBA, said Anjan is showcasing a unique collection of dresses for men, women, and kids. The price of panjabi ranges from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500, while sari prices range from Tk. 2,500 to Tk. 5,000. T-shirt and fatua starts from Tk. 550 and goes up to Tk. 2,000. Besides, Anjan is selling jewellery and clothes for children. We sell products online, but the quantity is limited, said Shaheen Ahmed. Kapoor-e-Bangla, a prominent local fashion house, is showcasing unique collections of dresses for men, women, and kids for this Eid. This years Eid is a bit special for us. Because of the summer season, we are focusing on comfortable linen and cotton dresses for our customers, said Bithun, the owner. Products with hand embroidery designs are the trend at this moment, he added. The product line for men this festival season consists of fatua, panjabi and kurta. Fatua prices range from Tk. 500 to Tk. 1,200, panjabis cost between Tk. 900 and Tk. 2,200, while kurtas are priced at Tk. 950 to Tk. 1,300. For women, Kapoor-e-Bangla has lined up single kameez and orna. Single kameez pieces are in the range of Tk. 950 to Tk. 1,550, while orna ranges from Tk. 220 to Tk. 650. Maruf Hossain, a vendor who sells different types of trousers, shirts, jerseys and panjabis on the footpath at Motijheel, said he has not made a good profit so far. He, however, is expecting the sales to pick up this week.