Shiny embossed and framed bags for more casually official look take the center stage. And at the top of the right-hand side of the entrance, paisley embossed bags in off-hues and vibrant colors are serially arranged. March forward, to explore more.
“All these bags are fresh collections,” informs the proprietor of the store, Aditya Tibrewala, who was found exploring bags on Durbar Marg on Wednesday.
The idea of an exclusive handbags store, which Mad About Bags is, goes to Retail Concepts International, the country partners for Samsonite and American Tourister in Nepal.
“As a group and family venture, we wanted to be in the same category of business,” informs Aditya.
Mad About Bags is the sixth venture of Retail Concepts, which has been in business since 2000. “By 2010, four outlets of Mad About Bags in different parts of the capital is in the plan,” adds Aditya.
The capital is witnessing a revolution in the trend of structures and textures of the bags like that of the late 1960s in the West, when designers experimented with shapes and sizes. Once limited to a few leather handbags stores and even fewer choices on the shapes and sizes, now Kathmandu’s bag market has relatively grown and is in the mood of experimenting. But still landing in a store solely dedicated to bags is rare.
“I want to make the store a hangout for ladies,” Aditya adds, “We’ll include new items every 15 days so that they stop by often and try out the products.” According to him, the range of designs is for any fashion enthusiast from 16 years and onwards.
To sustain solely on fancy bag business, which is still in its infancy, Aditya says that he hasn’t yet inscribed the strategy and concept on the blueprint. “The first six months is all about being innovative,” he says.
“Like we have built the expertise on traveling bags through experience, we hope to do the same in this new venture, too,” the young businessman claims. “And for that, there are regular product-specific trainings, etiquettes, and basic sales training for our staffs.”
Coming back to the products on display, whoever feels “bigger the better”, then Mad About Bags have a range of totes lined up – framed ones to draped. There are bags specifically designed for attending parties, while there are others with an air of practicality, and can accommodate both our evening and everyday baggy needs. But do make sure to move your eyes around because there are also clutches and purses lined up on the far left of the store.
The setup and design of the store is minimalist. And the white walls, the black-brown and cream-colored racks don’t steal away the limelight from the bags. There’s enough space to move around and try the bags on.
Three large rectangular boxes framed with pictures of models displaying the products watch down the floor of the store. And a cute orange-ish statue of Lord Ganesh lights up the payment counter.
Holli, Hidesign, Baggit, and Images are some of the brands that delight this spacious store. Paisley-printed bags by Holli, framed structures by Baggit, and envelope-style clutches, simulated skin-embossed bags, and metallic shifts for cocktails by Images can tempt any woman’s eye. Thus, every category of bags and even the dyed hobos that bring the vibes of the Hippie era adorn the shelves. Men’s bags are also in the pipeline, according to Aditya.
“All of these are Indian brands,” informs Aditya. “We’re thinking of including international brands as well.” The man who is also the conceptualizer of the store adds, “Even though the current brands are Indian, the designs are international, and are meant to be sold across the world.”
“The whole idea of Mad About Bags is to cater to all segments of the society,” Aditya concludes. “About a thousand products in different price range are on display here. And these products are affordable luxuries.”
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