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Boutiques
Another aspect seen in the changing face of Indian garment industry is the increasing popularity of 'Boutiques'. A boutique is a small shop or departmental store selling designer, unique and trendy products. A wide range of items can be displayed in a boutique like watches, lingeries, evening wear, sportswear, t-shirts, tuxedos, etc. Boutiques are generally specialty stores. Exclusive designer items can be purchased from such stores. High profile designers of India mainly merchandise through their personal boutiques.
However it is not mandatory that only famous designer open a boutique. Even common person could do it and make it big in this field. It could be started even with small investment of money. More and more Indians are inclining towards designer wear outfits due to increase in income of the people. India's first boutique was opened in Mumbai in 1965 named 'Dagina' by Mr. Chandu Morarjee. Boutiques are operated both online and offline, this concept is yielding positive outcome for the retailers.
The emergence of fashion boutiques started of from Mumbai, them spreading onto Delhi, Chennai and other metropolitan and big cities of India. Also to support this concept, art galleries came up which usually showcase either ready-to-wear or ready-to-stitch garments. India's first art gallery was opened by Gunvanti Vilji in Mumbai in 1972 under the name 'Aakar art gallery'.
These fashion stores or designer boutiques display items which cannot be found in common retail malls or shops. These specialty stores even make customized garments that are made to order. Some time back only rich and famous people were customers of such boutiques, but now due to increasing demand of designer outfits more and more fashions stores are opening up.
A new genre of talented housewife developed who used to design designer outfit under their own private label. These are the designers whose clientele ranges from a common Indians to the affluent class people.
The next step in retail concept was the surfacing of 'Fashion Houses', which are headed by eminent designers. Ensemble was the first fashion house of India founded in 1987. The collections available in these outlets have very high price tag which could be afforded by the rich customers only.
Advent of brands
The market of branded garments is growing up in India. More and more people are switching on to branded apparel then non-branded ones as it provide quality assurance. Liberty shirts was the first company to sell shirts under its brand name in India during 1950's. Then there was no looking back for the branded apparel market.
Many national as well as international brands have established themselves in Indian garment industry. Allen solly, Van Heusen, Louis Philipe, Charagh Din, Raymonds, Arrow, etc. are some leading national brands. The branded apparel market saw a boost due to growing denim demand. Many international brands entered the denim industry in India like- Lee, Levi's, Seven Jeans, Pepe Jeans, etc. But these foreign brands get a tough competition from Indian branded denim manufacturers like Flying Machine, Wrangler, Killer, Numero Uno, etc. Branded clothes have captivated the market of both menswear and women's wear and slowly catching up in childrenwear segment. The Indian consumer has become brand conscious which is a sign of globalization of Indian apparel industry.
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