Bharat Kolluru, who runs F For U, says that his wife was the main reason he started this luxury rental store
An Emporio Armani gown may cost you around Rs 3 lakh, while a Chanel bag costs at least around a lakh and a half. And then comes the question of how many times we’re willing to be seen in the same outfit - not more than twice? Maybe thrice. In order to solve this crisis of looking fashionable yet not burning a huge hole in your pocket, fashion rental stores are being launched in Chennai. Starting from Rs 2,000, you get to be the proud owner of a Gucci or Fendi for a day and shine in all your glory!
Bharat Kolluru, who runs F For U, says that his wife was the main reason he started this luxury rental store. “Indians’ view of international designers and brands is so much wider than what it used to be before. They want to wear the best of gowns or dresses paired with the most expensive bags — and that’s where stores like us come in,” says Bharat.
He feels that instead of people spending many thousands on clothes that they won’t wear more than once, they can rent a dress from his store for less than one-eighth the cost!
“With a huge increase in the number of parties and events that people attend, naturally they’ll need a new look every week. Renting or hiring clothes for one day works out cheaper, plus you have a wide choice of designers under the same roof,” he adds.
Zodiac Tailors, located in Perambur, have been around for the last ten years but took to renting clothes recently because of the sheer demand. “Customers from all kinds of backgrounds, including TV anchor Imman annachi, come to us to rent clothes for weddings, parties, college farewells and even job interviews,” says J Sayed Khudrathullah, the store’s founder.
Of course, like any other business, rental stores have their share of downsides — “The biggest problem is that people know they don’t own the outfit but it’s only rented, so their morale takes a hit. Also, they have their doubts about who wore it before them,” says Bharat.
Popular designer and Chennai guy Sidney Sladen has an opposing viewpoint, “I don’t understand the concept of renting — if you can’t afford to buy it, then don’t wear it at all!” he says, adding, “I feel that people need not change their individuality. As a designer, I price my clothes affordably so I have recurring customers. They’re not so exorbitant that the client will purchase only one outfit from me in a year; I want them to come back at least five times.”
Model Christleda Philip thinks renting accessories or clothes makes sense only if they’re beyond a budget. “Personally, I buy my outfits but I know many college students who can’t afford to shop at Jimmy Choo or Louis Vuitton. For them, it makes a lot of sense to rent a bag or shoes,” she says adding, “I wouldn’t ever buy an outfit worth Rs 2 lakhs; I’d much rather pick out individual pieces from stores and assemble an outfit,” she concludes.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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