Indian design store to open in Pakistan Friday

Indian multi-designer fashion house Karmik will open its first store in Pakistan's Lahore city Friday -- and six more in that country in the next three years.

Pradeep Hirani, chief managing director of Karmik, told IANS that it wasn't tough to open the store as Indian designs are much appreciated in Pakistan.

"Like music, fashion does not adhere to political or geographical boundaries," said the Mumbai-based Hirani.

"India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, so the sensibilities are common. In view of the high demand for Indian designer-wear, opening a store in Pakistan was not so challenging," he added.

Karmik will give fashionistas in Pakistan a chance to flaunt Indian creations by top designers like Rohit Bal, JJ Valaya, Anamika Khanna and Neeta Lulla.

An agreement for the store was signed here between Hirani and Sheikh Aftab Arshad, Asad Amin Sheikh, Asif Amin Sheikh of the Lahore-based fashion retailer Arshadsons.

As part of this franchise deal, Karmik also plans to open six stores in cities such as Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad over the next three years.

"The Lahore store will be followed by Karachi in December 2013. We have also finalised six stores in Pakistan to be opened in the next three years," Hirani said.

The collection at Karmik store will encompass Indian designer wear, and there will be salwar-kameez and churidar suits, stiched saris and tunics, apart from bags and shoes.

All the designs will be available between the price range of $100 to $175.

"We did detailed research in terms of acceptability of tastes and preferences, especially in the silhouette, colour and texture department," Hirani said.

"The sizing and the preferred fit of garments of a particular city plays a strong part too. Besides, a major eyeopener was that Indian designers are household names in Pakistan," added Hirani.