Designer kurtas have flooded the outlets of all major design houses and the designers are spending quite a fortune on giving a hefty share to single shirts rather essembling complete sets. With this, the purchasing of three/four piece outfit for an event is going down, as the trend has been replaced by one piece kurtas cum shirts that come in all colours, ranges and seasons. By doing so, in one way, the designers are honouring the fashion intelligence of customers and giving them an open space to experiment with their attire and on the other, these distinctive designs strengthens the trust between the deigner and his/her client. Today, designers are selling a lot of semi formal kurtas which can be dressed down for a more casual event as well as dressed up for something more formal. In fact the customers can spend the same amount they would spend on a three piece suit, to buy two or three kurtas instead. It sort of provides better value for money. Our survey suggests that the high end lawn one piece kurtas starts from PKR 2,500 to 3,500 on average, while digitally printed silk kurtas range from PKR 5,000 to PKR 8,500. In our fashion report this week we have talked to your favourite designers to further enlighten you about the innovative capacities of Pakistani designers and help you build up a perfect wardrobe.
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
One piece Kurtas are easier to buy also the price is less and people have the option to mix and match.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
Cotton net chiffon and silk.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
All age groups in pret price is a huge defining factor.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Our one piece is available through out the year at Rs. 4,200.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
We do a 18 piece seasonal collection.
CREATIVE TEAM OF SO KAMAL
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
1 pc Kurtas go with any everyday color pants or trousers in our wardrobe also easy to wear and no specific matchings are required. They are more voguish you can carry them with different accessories as well.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
People usually favor to wear simple trendy cuts and breathable fabrics like Lawn and Cotton.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
15 to 30 years age group of people usually prefers 1 pc kurtas.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
We launch our 1 pc collection in every Season:
Spring-Summer
Mid summer
Fall & Winter
Price Points: 1500 – 2500 PKR
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
We usually come up with 60-70 pcs each article in seasonal collections.
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
Most women love our prints and and happy buying just shirt pieces which can be easily paired with white/ black and navy pants. They are more affordable too women can buy multiple designs every month.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
You can never go wrong with a classic Kurta. Having said that many women specially come in for our vast selection of outfits we offer our clients in terms of cut, colours and prints in a range of fabrics from lawn, cottons linens to fine silks, chiffon and nets.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
For us from 18-55
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Our price range starts from Rs. 3,800. We have new designs coming to our shops weekly. Lawn collection are taken out 2-3times a year. There are special Eid summer and winter collection too along with our show pieces.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
35-40 percent.
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
It's a very fast paced life for most of us and to make things simpler 1 piece kurtas is the way to go. People prefer to pair off their shirts with neutral trousers and scarves.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
For the summer we're sticking to very fine voiles and nets. Key to surviving our horrid summer is the choice of our fabric.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
Initially, I think only the younger clientele preferred them. But now most of the age groups have adapted to this trend as it makes their lives easier.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Our price range starts from Rs. 2,900.
Our new stock comes in every week. But spring and winter are the two seasons we launch specific collections for.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
I would say 90 percent of our collection are singles. But for the more formal range we customise our outfits according to the requirements of our clients.
HASSAN SHEHERYAR YASIN (HSY)
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
While HSY is known for being a luxury brand I also want to branch out and bring the HSY aesthetics to every household. That's the main reason behind the new label HSY Limited. The single piece shirts/kurtas don't just keep the costs down but also give the buyers a wider choice range when pairing up the options.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
During summers, it's all about lawn, chiffon and all pure, light fabrics. The weather gets really hot and people want something that's light and breathable.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
Earlier it was only the younger women who preferred 1 piece shirts/kurtas but now women of all ages are seen wearing them. Especially working women, since it saves them the hustle of getting the outfits stitched. Keeping that in mind, HSY Limited will heavily feature colors that can be paired with black and white trousers.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
The price range for our new label would be between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 8,000, while we're also trying to push it even lower. For pret lines, the collections come out every season.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
This is the first time we're launching a 1 piece shirts/kurta collection. The entire line HSY Limited will be of 1 piece shirts/kurtas.
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
Most women have plenty of neutral coloured trousers. Black, white and beige trousers go with a lot, therefore may not be needed with every new kurta a client buys. Also, dupattas are now not used as much and three piece suits for many people tend to be wasted.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
Depends on the occasion and season. For spring/summer a lot of light weight fabrics, cottons and cool nets in whites and pastels. For the winter, slightly thicker fabrics and deeper shades.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
I would say approximately age 45 and below.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Rs 6,000-15,000. I usually launch a spring/summer collection and then an autumn/winter collection later in the year.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
Approximately 60%
NAUREEN FAYYAZ OF FLAIRS
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
Kutras have made designer wear affordable for a large market. Three piece sets are going to not only increase the cost but wont look as trendy.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
It really depends on their geographic location because we deal with the whole country and also cater a large international market. Soft fabric is perferred in casual wear and good for busy women. We are using cotton net, chicken and pure fabrics this season to beat the heat.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
This is the plus point of kurtas! Almost all age groups are comfortable with it, if they like they can always take a dupata with it.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Between 3500 to 5000.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
Each season we launch around 15 to 20 articles.
GENERATION
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
We have been doing it for a while. We do both actually. Single pieces as well as complete sets.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
Straight without being baggy. People don't actually like to wear kurtas. They like to wear kameezes which look like kurtas.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
All kinds of people, but mostly the younger lot.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Rs. 2,200 to 3,800 we send in new collections every week thoughout the year.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
Half
1 - What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
Not everyone likes to wear pattern on pattern plus a lot of girls don't wear dupattas, its too hot.
2 - Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
Lawn or cotton but mostly the practical ones that people can work in. the fancy ones are saved for bigger events.
3 - Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
Any age group, my mum likes them too!
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Rs. 3,000 to about Rs. 8,000 if its in silk. I sell them through the year.
5 - What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
To be honest I haven't calculated but it is a big part of my collections.
SANAM CHAUDHRI
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
Cost effective plus everyone has the basic white/black/beige lowers to go with everything.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
Straight, sleeved tunics in cotton and voil.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
Anyone within the 16-50 age bracket
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Prices range varies between Rs. 4,800 - 12,000
Collections are launched seasonally.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
About 70%
SAMBREEN RASHID OF KENSHO
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
We feel that the buying of 1 piece kurtas/shirts allows females to wear them with jeans or trousers of their choice and they are not bound to spend so much on buying a complete three piece designer suit, which also ends up being very expensive.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts do people usually like to wear?
These days long silk and digitally printed kurtas/shirts are in for formal and semi-formal wear, whereas for casual wear ladies are buying lawn kurtas/shirts and brighter colours and with slightly unique printed motives. Digitally printed kurtas are really in.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
15 to 30 years.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Our lawn one piece kurtas are from PKR 2,500 to 3,500 and our digitally printed silk kurtas are from PKR 5,500 to PKR 6,500.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
All our kurtas have been one piece ever since we started our brand as that is what sells for us.
MAHEEN KHAN OF GULABO
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
Complete sets of Top and trouser, leave no room for a fashion conscious women to be creative. Just picking up a fabulous shirt is so much more exiting and challenging.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
Simple, well cut shirts are the most popular and a good buy always.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
Definitely all age groups, for every one has basic trousers or capris.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Gulabo tops range from Rs 3,000 to 15,000 for crepe silk digital prints.
5- What's the percentage/number of 1 piece articles when you bring out complete seasonal collection?
At Gulabo everyday is a new season. We introduce 5 to 10 new designs each week.
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
I have been selling single kurta's since 2012... And people love it. A traditional three piece set should be kept for special occasion.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
People wear all sort of styles... Customers are always looking for something new and different. If you keep your creativity up while you design, your goods will sell.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
From girls to ladies and women... All of them have been buying single top's. From long till the ankle length to an extremely short length shirt, age has never been the restriction here. The rest depends of one's personal preference.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Each summer and winter we bring out new designs that we sell through out the year and our prices starts from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000.
1- What's the reason behind launching 1 piece kurta/shirt collection instead of complete sets?
Most of the shirts had basic color shalwar with them. Which nearly every customer already has by taking out the cost of the part you can make the outfit more affordable for the customer.
2- Which style and fabric of kurtaz/shirts people usually like to wear?
Lawn is by far the most preferred fabric.
3- Which age group prefers 1 piece shirts/kurtaz?
Mostly youngster, aged 18 to 35.
4- What's the price range of your 1 piece articles and in which season you mostly launch your collection?
Our stitched single shirt is Rs2,490 minimum and our non-stitched kurta dupatta is sold for Rs Rs 2,390 - 2,790/-
