KATHMANDU

The clothing industry is one of the most ancient industries. Every year, there is the emergence of new trends and new fabrics in the clothing industry. Similarly, Nepali clothing brands with their own authentic and trendy style are growing rapidly. However, are these brands getting proper recognition and appreciation as they deserve?

Brand Nepal is a carnival where there is the celebration of Nepali Brands. Organized by Radio Nagarik 96.5, Brand Nepal promotes Nepali brands and their products. On 18th December 2021, Brand Nepal Go Local is coming up with its third edition where one can meet various leading Nepali clothing brands with unique and variety of products to choose from. Moreover, here are the lists of various clothing brands sharing their enthusiasm for participating in Brand Nepal this year.

Looga Wears

Looga Wears' is a sole proprietary business owned and foreseen primarily by owner Senate Shakya.  Initially started out only as a medium to boost Pop Culture in Nepal in 2019 via introducing the trend of printing an original caricature portrait of a Pop Culture Icon, they started custom printing client's designs on various clothing’s such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies as well in 2020. As of 2021, they have started to produce their own tote bags with hand paint or print based on the client's designs. They have also introduced customizable mugs, cushions, stickers, and much more. Their outlet is situated at Chhaya Center, 2nd floor, Shop 336.

Photo Credit: FB of Looga Wears

• What inspired you to run your business?

Firstly, it was the sheer will to create a youth eccentric Nepali brand here in Kathmandu itself which can cater to everyone, everywhere in the globe which will not only create multiple job opportunities for Nepali but also the inspiration for youngsters to help in the development of Nepal's economy than to invest somewhere else. Secondly, it was the love of art that inspired this business, be it in any medium. Wearing, showing what you love, and that you are emotionally attached to it is something special and will always hold a dear place in our hearts.

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

To succeed as an entrepreneur, we need to be eager to receive feedback and act on it. This skill requires us to stay humble and accept that our idea of the perfect version of your product/service may not resonate with potential customers. Similarly, creating a reasonable budget and sticking to it can be the difference between the success and failure of any venture. By learning this essential finance skill, you can avoid overspending and appropriately allocate your company’s resources.

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

This year, with Brand Nepal we aim to have a jumpstart in sales and recognition as 2020 was a very challenging year for everyone due to the ongoing pandemic and the business needs such boosts to recover and keep up with the ever-growing market. The venue: Chhaya Center might also be in need of these kinds of events too as audiences there are quite low there in comparison to other malls.

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

Our stall at Brand Nepal for this year will not merely offer our wide range of signature readymade pop culture t-shirts that people have loved for the past two years, but also our Canvas Tote Bags in sizes of 14x14", 14x16" in black and off-white colors as well as the circular tote bags. We will also exhibit samples of custom printed plaques, hoodies, and sweatshirts which people can look into and send in their designs if they wish to place orders accordingly. There will be something for everybody at our stall.

Creative Touch Pasal

(Rajani Thapa, Managing Director of Creative Touch Pasal)

With a quality fashion product proudly designed and made in Nepal, Creative Touch Pasal is a homegrown fashion lifestyle brand. Established in 1999, the fashion house offers various women, men and kids wear that are different than the over-flooded Asian products from China, Bangladesh, and India. They provide export quality and workmanship in their products and are affordable to the common Nepali target market. Creative Touch Pasal is located at Ropeway Sadak, Naya Bazaar, Kathmandu.

Photo Credit: FB of Creative Touch Pasal

• What inspired you to run your business?

Our business started as a small shop way back in the mid-90s in the then-booming export business hub of Thamel. Long story short, a passion for style and quality in fashion lifestyle is what inspires us at Creative Touch.

• What are your challenges in your business?

In general, unless a specific niche target, the general target market has trust issues with Nepalese brands, especially a fashion brand like ours. They are ready to pay for fake copies of international brands, while they doubt Nepali brands can offer unique and better quality products. Second, finding skilled people to join our team is another major challenge – whether that is blue-collar or white-collar. Third, finding constant orders, so we can sustain; especially in these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• How do you overcome your challenges?

It is a constant struggle. We continue to work in design and quality to make better fashion presentations. Hopefully, this will yield results in the future. Manpower is still a challenge, solution to this issue is far from sight at the moment.

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

It is about letting fellow Nepalese know that style and quality is possible from the Brands of Nepal. One can expect designer winter wear at our stall.

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

We hope to reach out to a wider ‘Designed & Made in Nepal’ conscious, and promote our brand at the same time.

Levana Wears

(Rashmi Bajracharya Shakya, Founder)

Levana wears, is the manufacturer of high-quality lounge wears. According to the founder, Rashmi Bajracharya Shakya, “Levana”, in Latin, means “to lift”. With Levana, she wanted to “lift” how Nepali people see and purchase loungewear. Levana provides loungewear of the best quality fabric at the best possible price. Currently, they have loungewear for women and children in particular.

Photo Credit: FB of Levana Wears

• What inspired you to run your business?

It’s always interesting to answer this question because it has so much to do with how I am changing as a person. Becoming a mother has transformed me quite a bit, a part of which is spending a lot of time with my son and understanding his needs. We’re mostly at home these days, which is why I started looking for clothes that he would feel comfortable in. After I looked for long enough and couldn’t find much, I decided to dive in myself- and here we are. Of course, now, I’m beginning to see that loungewear is an important part of how we treat ourselves and it also affects how we feel. So what started as a hunt for good loungewear for my son (Saahas), is now a full-fledged business that caters to all your loungewear needs.

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

I have found that being a successful entrepreneur has a lot to do with being able to give personal meaning to your goals and being relevant to the needs of the time we live in. For example, with Levana, I don’t see a time when people simply won’t need Loungewear, which means, I get to continue my services without being redundant. So for me, Levana is very closely linked to who I am as a person, and a mother, more specifically and it is also something I can keep pursuing because it is a useful initiative- this is probably what keeps me going as an entrepreneur.

• What are your challenges in your business and how do you overcome it?

Like all new businesses, I think the most difficult part is actually finding your target audience and being able to reach out to them effectively. So while businesses keep generating products and services, they might never get to the people who are looking for it the most. There’s obviously smart social media marketing to find the perfect audience for us but I think events like these are a lot better! Levana was at an art market at Jalpa recently, being there helped a lot too. For now, we don’t have too many challenges, except maybe some on the logistics part.

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

I think we’re seeing a lot of awareness and support for local brands in Nepal now, and events like Brand Nepal channel this support. This year, I’m expecting Brand Nepal to feature and promote Nepalese brands that are not only sustainable but affordable. That said, I’m glad that Levana could be a part of the initiative.

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

When you visit our stall, you will find lounge wears with premium quality, multiple choices, and reasonable prices. At Levana, we’re always hunting for the most comfortable fabrics and manufacturing loungewear that not only look good but feel good. When at Brand Nepal, at Levana’s stall, I’m sure, once you look at what we have to offer, you won’t be able to look away.

 

Utkristree Kurtha

(Samira Shakya and Uma Pradhan, Founders)

Launched in March 2021, Utkristree is a Nepali Clothing Brand that focuses on smart casual wear for women of all ages and sizes. Their designs are for everyone, and everyone finds their style in their clothes. Utlristree was introduced as an online clothing store during the second lockdown but now has a physical store in Kupondole. Founded by Samira Shakya and Uma Pradhan, the integral part of Utkristree’s design is comfort and quality along with style and elegance.

Phot

Photo Credit: FB of Utkristree

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

A good business partner, people full of creativity, well financial support, good market, good network, brilliant marketing strategies, a good team along with support from your friends and family.

• Why did you choose to be in this business?

Dress designing is our passion. We are happy to see people happy wearing our clothes. But above all, we want to create a well-known local clothing brand that’s everyone’s favorite.

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

We have wider varieties of clothes for women from kurtas, to dresses, to pants, to tops. And we now have a wide range of winter collections comprising outers, cape jackets, sweaters, cool jackets to keep you warm. Something for Christmas and New Year too. You will love them, am sure. Guaranteed! Men should not be disappointed as we have kurtas for men as well.

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

This is the first time for us. We expect to meet other brilliant Nepali designers and entrepreneurs. We are also hoping to promote our brand and outreach as much as possible. This is a great opportunity for newbie entrepreneurs like us and we are so thankful to Brand Nepal and Nagarik to help us promote ourselves.

Hills and Clouds

(Prabin Gurung, Founder)

Hills and Clouds is an eco-friendly clothing brand with creative and elegant designs. This brand aspires to go global with an aim to highlight Nepal in the global fashion industry. They deliver breathable and basics wear while keeping the price affordable. They started with the belief that fashion is more than just a statement; it can be a way of expressing your beliefs and what you stand for. Hills and Clouds claims that it is meant to transform the Nepali fashion industry by building a global standard quality, having ethical values to build a sustainable clothing brand.

Photo Credit: FB of Hills and Clouds

• What inspired you to run your business?

We started with the belief that fashion is more than just a statement; it can be a way of expressing your beliefs and what you stand for. Hills and clouds is meant to transform the Nepali fashion industry by building a global standard quality, having ethical values to build as a sustainable clothing brand.

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

Consistency, hard work, and solving people's problems are the key factors that enable me to be an entrepreneur.

• Why did you choose to be in this business?

We saw a gap in the Nepali market and we believe that Nepali people should have a brand that they should be proud of and that they can represent.

•           What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

           -Products that offer quality consistently and good value for money.

          -Eco-friendly packaging. “We say NO to plastic”

         -We have amazing designs that you will fall in love with.

•           What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

We don’t want the customers to just show up, take a look at our products, and then go home. We wish them to interact with the hills and clouds, as well as get to know our brand and our vision better.

 

Ekadesma Clothing and Ekadesma Collective

(Anuja Rajbhandari Shrestha and Alpaja Rajbhandari, Co founders)

Ekadesma, is a lifestyle brand that was born out of a shared love for art, craft, tradition, and fashion in 2011 co-founded by the sisters Anuja Rajbhandari Shrestha and Alpaja Rajbhandari which later became a social enterprise empowering women of the local community. A sustainable lifestyle brand that started with the founding principles of creating original and artsy designs with universal sensibilities of comfort and style. They work with 100 percent natural Nepali textiles which are weaved by small-scaled weavers of Kathmandu and combine this with the artisanal process of hand dyeing and hand weaving. Ekadesma designs are always timeless and ageless, which let you feel good, comfortable, and flexible fits give you the freedom to move your fabrics, have a pleasant feel, and display their natural authentic character. They have been creating fashion that is timeless, beautiful, of high quality, long-lasting, and sustainable.

Photo Credit: FB of Ekadeshma

• What inspired you to run your business?

Nature, Crafts, Nepali Tradition, and culture have been always an inspiration to us, but our late father Badri Raj Rajbhandari is our great inspiration who showed us the path and inspires us to think about the community and planet we belong to.

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

The ability to learn, stay relevant, and adapt to the change helped us to be an entrepreneur. Since technology, culture, and consumer tastes are constantly in flux, so staying relevant, learning and changing mindset, and business in-kind help to be an entrepreneur.

• Why did you choose to be in this business?

Born and raised in a business family, we were influenced by the process and impact any business can have on the community and people around us.

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

Environment-friendly products are made from Nepali textile, handcrafted accessories, home décor, and products which has a story itself.

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

We had amazing experiences in the previous year's “Brand Nepal” event and hoping to have better this year as well. I hope its ambiance would attract more people and we find a new connection with the conscious consumer.

Fibro Nepal Pvt Ltd

(Suraj Raj Pandey, Co-founder, and CEO)

Fibro is an apparel brand based out of Kathmandu mostly focusing on human-centric apparel designs mostly catering to the need of the Nepali crowd while considering their unique fashion taste, need, socio-economic structure, climatic condition, and body (physical) dynamics. They offer products that promise comfort, class, and style—at a reasonable price and strive to fill the void in the market for customers who previously had to juggle between cost and quality.

Photo Credit: FB of Fibro

• What inspired you to run your business?

Our economy is an import-oriented economy. Every second business here imports a majority or all of the products/services they offer to customers. Despite having a good-paying market size and the resources required to manufacture to become self-sufficient in many areas, we have not been able to produce what we consume and depend largely on imports. It is not a good sign for any economy and needs to be balanced promptly. Nepal imports billions of rupees worth of textile and apparel-related items and Nepali brands/companies haven’t been able to compete for a good share of it so far. To be honest possibilities in this country have inspired me to do everything that I do. I want to contribute to making Nepal a self-sufficient country.

• What are the key things that help you to be an entrepreneur?

I think the right mentorship, environment, peer circle, enthusiasm to learn, and one’s skillset becomes very crucial in the journey of entrepreneurship. There are thousands of things that will help but I think these are the most crucial ones, at least are in my case.

• Why did you choose to be in this business?

As I said earlier, Nepal consumes billions of worth of ready-made apparel and textile every year and it is mostly imported. Nepalese brands haven’t been able to capture most of the market and we wanted to create a homegrown brand that manufactures in Nepal for Nepal.

• What can one expect, while at your stall in Brand Nepal?

We are launching a series of apparel designs this year; we are hoping we will be ready just in time to release a few of the designs during Brand Nepal. Apart from that customers can get exclusive instant discounts on our products

• What is your expectation from this year’s Brand Nepal event?

After the recent COVID pandemic, things went south for many startups and organizations in Nepal. During such times, events like Brand Nepal will play a very important role in uplifting the entire startup ecosystem, interaction with our customers and prospective customers has been very limited in recent times, we are looking forward to meeting as many customers as possible during the event and share about our products and services.