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Extremes rule the roost here
EXTREMES IN Kanpur is becoming the order of the day. The fact gets more support when it comes to purchasing power as far as garments are concerned. The city once known as the ?Manchaster of East? mainly due to textile products has been dominated by garments and textile other than that produced in Kanpur. The extreme rules the roost here too.
EXTREMES IN Kanpur is becoming the order of the day. The fact gets more support when it comes to purchasing power as far as garments are concerned.
The city once known as the ‘Manchaster of East’ mainly due to textile products has been dominated by garments and textile other than that produced in Kanpur. The extreme rules the roost here too.
On the one hand, there is a beeline to purchase products from fairly cheap seasonal stalls set up by Kashmiris and Tibetians especially during winters, while on the other, a lot of people have shunned all these and rushing in to purchase branded garments which have become one of the prime reasons for mushrooming of malls in the city.
First the branded garments. Kanpurites, it seems, are getting brand conscious.
Be it Levis, Pantaloons, Lee Cooper, Peter England, Provogue or any other, brands are making people crazy and attracting every class. Prices do not matter to Kanpurites anymore.
According to Amit Bhatnagar, supervisour of Globus, wearing a branded garment is a fad now and people feel good when they wear anything branded. He further says, “People from every class are running after branded garments because of durability.”
Ajit Singh, a sales associate at Globus says that branded garments have fabulous variety. Product guarantee is there and it also reflects status. Where as Sangeeta, sales associate also at Globus says that branded garments give confidence and because of good colour quality there is no chance of fading.
Vaibhav, a manager at Pantaloons says that Kanpurites believe that branded garments add a bit to glamour and attraction. He says Pantaloons have John Miller, UMM (Italian brand), Lombard, Honey Anabelle and Disney for kids. Heavy rush is just because of quality, he adds. Purari, a customer at Pantaloons believes, “Wearing branded items increases respect in the society.”
Arvind Shukla, a shop manager at Peter England says brand gives fabric liability, besides quality assurance. “Over all they give full satisfaction,” he says.
Where as Krishan at Provogue says branded items give liberty of choice. Rohit Seth, a model from the city says that branded garments give different look and even add to attraction.
However, traditional outfits at Kashmiri stalls in Beconganj and low-cost garments at Tibetian stalls in Parade have been drawing large crowds. Though sale has been comparatively low this year but heavy snowfall in upper northern region has brought some spark in their eyes in anticipation rise in sale.
Kashmiri traders, Shabbir and Riyaz Ahmad who came to Kanpur in October have pure woolen dress material for women, which has needled, and Qureshi embroidery. These dress materials cost between Rs 300 to Rs 950 where as shawls range between Rs 200 to Rs 2,500. They have Tussa, Pashmina and Ruffle varieties which costs more than Rs 10,000. From the last six years, they have been coming to Kanpur only because of good response. At present, they are eagerly waiting for Eid-ul-Zuha when customers were expected to go on buying spree.
Mohammed Mujtaba, a regular customer at these stalls says, “Kasmiri goods are easily available and he loves purchasing as they have traditional embroidery on dress materials which is a rare thing here.”
Where as Rinjin Dhakpa, secretary of Tibetan market says that feather woven garments are in great demand.
Embroidered work also has good demand primarily for the reason that prices are affordable and within reach of people as shawls, sweaters and jackets cost anything between Rs 250 to Rs 550. Tanvir, a college student says, “Tibetan market has good range of woolen outfits and prices too are within the range of common man.”
The attraction towards both branded and unbranded items is all set to further intensify the war of mindset with malls and seasonal stalls attracting more and more Kanpurites.
