By MARAIA VULA
Invogue, a one-off designer boutique, has opened its doors in Suva at the President Plaza along Ratu Mara Road in Samabula.
Boutique owner ‘Ms Singh’, as she is commonly known, said the idea of the shop originated from classical Bollywood pieces that people have always wanted locally.
“The demand for one-off designer pieces in the last 10 years I have found was high. This is because the Fijian communities are fashion cautious, majestic and elaborate especially on wedding occasions,” Ms Singh said.
“And because they follow Bollywood stars in the TV series so passionately, I decided to start importing in customised outfits to them the consumers,” she said.
Big investment
Ms Singh added they had invested a large amount of money in the business.
“There will be three employees who will be hired. As business progresses I might employ more,” she said.
She said the price range would be from $60 and upwards, bridal prices vary depending on the person’s taste.
“My target is anyone from the age of 13 years old onwards there’s no restrictions to executives or an average person.”
People can view fashion catalogues online through their facebook page.
Online access
“It would be a 24 hour online service which people can view from the comforts of their homes,” she said.
“People can view the sizes and prices online and at the shop to quickly try the outfi ts out but if they live far from Suva they are most welcome to have it mailed to them.
“However some unique pieces would not be available online but only available in store especially wedding pieces because it’s quite personal.”
Future Plans
Ms Singh has been in the trade for a long time and plans to expand her business.
“We will have accessories such as Bollywood fashion hand bags, some jewellery and we’re working on getting some unique pieces as well in the next couple of months.
“My short term goal is for Invogue to be very well known in Fiji. Whether on social network sites or our store site, so that people can rely on the quality of the shop to the clothes.
“Quality is very important to me as well as the workmanship to the whole attire but presentation is my immediate goal.”
She anticipates to take a step further to online shopping as social media takes a whole new level here.
Invogue shop at the ground floor of President Plaza on Ratu Mara Road in Samabula. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI