Given such a market, the world famous brands have lost their significance here. [break]
Whether it is the status or personal satisfaction that a brand name gives to youngsters is a topic to be pondered upon.
To discuss on these issues, Prakat Khati, 19, a first year student at Kathmandu School of Law and a teacher at Little Angels College; Anura Shrestha, 18, an A-level graduate who does part-time at K33 Hair Hotel; Neelisha Adhikari, 22, a first year BBA student of Lord Buddha Education Foundation who is also interning at Nepal Banking Training Institute; and Bharat Kafle, 21, a first year student of Veterinary at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Rampur, came together for a Chit Chat session at Republica:
Neelisha Adhikari
How much do brand names matter to you?
Bharat: The name itself upgrades the way it’s viewed. It’s not what you wear but what you think.
Anura: For me, the brand of sport shoes and watches matter rather than other products of which the quality is more important.
Prakat: Nepali market doesn’t offer much choice for men.
Neelisha: For my cosmetics, shoes, bags, shades and contact lenses, brand is a must. Brand doesn’t matter if you carry whatever you’re wearing fashionably and confidently.
How brand loyal are you?
Bharat: I haven’t had much exposure but I would like to have Adidas products.
Anura: For shoes, I always opt for Converse.
Prakat: It is difficult for any international company to create brand loyalty in a country like ours where the majority of the population can’t afford their products. It’s a rare syndrome.
Neelisha: I prefer bags from Chloé and the cosmetic products of Lotus.
When opting for a branded product, what matters the most to you?
Prakat: Style and comfort! The product should add to one’s personality along with its quality and a sober price. Family opinion, peer groups preference and media also have a role in influencing people’s choice.
Bharat Kafle
Neelisha: Firstly, it should be comfortable and then the name itself tempting.
Bharat: It should be long lasting and easy to clean.
Anura: It should be worth the price paid for it and one shouldn’t be bored with it. Definitely it should suit too.
Why prefer a good brand?
Bharat: It’s purely about self-satisfaction.
Anura: Young people often want to establish themselves as unique among their peers. Maybe accessorizing oneself with a popular brand gives them a sense of superiority. They also want to wear the brands that their favorite celebrities endorse.
Prakat: It’s all about being comfortable.
Neelisha: It raises self-confidence.
Whereas fake products labeled with brand names are available everywhere, how does using a true branded product make you outstanding before others?
Bharat: It may look the same but the quality definitely differs. It’s often the case that the fake ones wear out, lose color or the print washes away.
Anura: There is a certain difference which the regular brand users will be able to differentiate. However, if the duplicate and cheaper ones look the same and satisfy people, then so be it.
Anura Shrestha
Neelisha: The appearance itself of branded and fake products are different. Branded stores offer genuine products, whereas one should beware of the so-called branded products available elsewhere.
Prakat: Chinese items with fake brand names have overpowered the genuine ones. Sadly, there is no law or mechanism to check and act against such business.
When one wears an expensive branded product, how does one convey the message to others?
Prakat: One should avoid the brands whose names have been misused.
Neelisha: It’s very difficult to outstand and heartbreaking when one spends a huge amount of money on a particular item and another person may have the same item at much cheaper rate.
Those who are brand conscious, what is your message to them about promoting domestic products?
Prakat: Since we are largely influenced by the Western fashion, the local companies are busy copying and importing foreign products rather than inventing their original ideas. Nor do they have any incentives or protection.
Anura: Instead of being influenced, effort has to be made form the grassroots. Media also promote the foreign products. Our exports are very high compared to imports.
Bharat: Our cultural dresses should be brought in the market too.
Neelisha: We do have some local brand outlets such as House of Alternative Apparel and Astik Designs that are very appreciative and have been doing well.
As youths, how do you manage to afford branded products?
Neelisha: Once I wanted a pair of shoes from London that my sister showed to me on Skype. I was obsessed with it but I couldn’t approach my parents for it since they had bought me two pairs of shoes already.
Prakat Khati
I used to be a model, so I did three days of continuous photo shoot struggling to earn enough for those shoes. I earned through modeling and then spent on myself which made me happy.
Bharat: Parents provide us food, shelter and education. They don’t have time for our petty demands for branded things. So if I need something, I tend to save up and lie to them. I dream of having a jersey of my favorite football club, Real Madrid.
Anura: I save up from my pocket money and also my salary and then shop. Even then, I think we should learn to have control over our spending and act rationally. The feeling of earning, then spending rather than burdening our parents is an overwhelming experience.
Prakat: If we shop only on what we earn, then branded accessories are preferable.
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