The institute aims to strengthen ties between Arab and Western civilisations
Hina Karani, founder, Vidi's Kloset, said: "Competition is always healthy. It brings out the best in you. Today, fashion changes faster than the blink of an eye. Clients are constantly expecting something new. Social media has made the world smaller and the fashion world even more petite. Hence, to keep up with this market and cater to different needs of my clientele, I began my journey of being a fashion entrepreneur."
The mother of two said the UAE has always been a business haven and provides unmatched support to women entrepreneurs. "I was born and raised in Dubai and with the support of family and friends, things have been simple. The respect and safety that women have in this country gives us more than peace of mind to focus on our work, thereby making it grow."
So, what inspires Hina? "We need to stay up with current trends and assess upcoming prints and patterns. I draw inspiration from almost everywhere and incorporate the trends in my classic styles. With the growing e-commerce industry, competition is no longer local, it is global. People can easily find stuff online and order it off. So, work hard and a little more smart with sincerity to keep competition at bay."
Vidi's Kloset was started purely out of Hina's passion for fashion. "It was my love for creativity in fashion that would not let me rest until my creations were experimented. And once they were liked and appreciated, I decided to open my boutique. It's been almost a decade now and we continue to innovate and create to be on par with this world of ever-changing fashion."
Hina likes fusion and experiments with Indo-western outfits. "We have come to be one of the pioneers in the range of Indo-Western fashion by combining the latest and best of Indian styles with a Western twist. We also showcase a wide range of ready-to-wear collection. Our latest projects have also been undertaking wedding outfits. Not only are we a one-stop-shop for a bride's wedding collection, but with our wide range of styles, we also do outfits for the entire family for every function. Following the current fashion industry standards, we do a new collection every season, which can be seen on our store racks," added Hina.
Did she face challenges in setting up her venture? "Anything new takes a lot to grow. Apart from the initial setting up process, it was the negative feedbacks and comments which made growth slower. However, today with experience, I can say that these negative comments are one's best tutor. It took a lot of to and fro from my clients to bear with my learning process and I am thankful to them."
"Competition was also growing and in that market to find your niche was an even bigger challenge. It was not just about opening a boutique but also about successfully sustaining and growing. When I identified that women in the UAE like to be traditional and trendy at the same time, we shifted focus and gave them what they wanted but in our style. We started combing old techniques of embroidery and masterials such as zardozi and beads in our creations. Our creations hit off and our customer loyalty is our biggest asset."
The fashionista pointed out that success follows passion blindly. "If you are in a career that you love, then work is play and who doesn't like playing harder. So, go out there and be the best in the game," she advised.
Hina also believes that health is wealth. "A fit body is the home of a fit mind. I believe and live by this. Exercise regularly so that not only can you work better but also feel better."
On how she balances home and work life, she said: "The support of family always makes things easier. They say you are only as good as your team and am lucky to have the kind of team I have. My efficient staff handles our clients for follow ups. I generally work on an appointment basis, so it gives me enough time to do my regular family and home chores," she concluded.
- sandhya@khaleejtimes.com
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