Kashif Shahzad, CEO of Rijas - Innovativeness sets the brand apart
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Rijas has been a pioneer in fashion fabrics, Pret-a-Porter, saries, bridal bed linen & accessories since 1966. Augmenting the brand’s stature and establishing its global presence is a dedicated workforce of over 100 trained professionals in design and business.
Kashif Shahzad, the CEO of one of the prominent outlets of the town ‘Rijas’ has shared information about his brand and the product line. Rijas’s CEO Kashif Shahzad has graduated in finance and accounting from the Purdue University of the USA. Here are some of the excerpts of the interview.
Kashid Shahzad said “My family is associated with textile and real estate business since 1963 but I ventured into family business in 2003 after completion of my graduation. I took charge as a CEO Rijas International that is successfully operating across the country with 16 outlets while a number of franchises are running in India, USA, UK and UAE.”
“Rijas has professionally trained group of more than thirty designers. They are working in a team to bring new trends in the market and focus to design many clothes in various colours that attract our customers,” he said.
He claimed “Rijas has its own place in the fashion industry. Though there is a clutter of fashion designers but what sets apart a brand is its innovativeness. For the sake of penetration in the fierce competition we bring diversified yet unique embroidered fabrics, accessories, saris, designer shoes and bridal bed sets.”
“We offer something that never goes out in style for the fashion enthusiasts. Even the prominent designers visit ‘Rijas’ for buying embroidery clothing. After stitching ‘Rijas’ fabrics they are selling with their names. This is common practice.
Answering to a query he said, “Pakistan has a huge market while we have very few designers. It is difficult for one group or person to capture the market but through quality work and introducing the latest trends one can easily capture the market.”
“Rijas offer Indian and Pakistani delicate embroidery style in the fabrics for saries, bridal and western clothing, embroidered fabrics, designer shoes, bridal bed sets, and accessories under the one roof. There is a unique amalgamation of western line with eastern style using latest techniques” he said.
“Rijas is a completely life style brand that believes to bring new trends while experimenting with colours, embroidery, textile and texture, line and silhouettes.
“While preparing for the summer season, we arranged special meetings with our designers, technical staff and PR Company for making new strategies and plans to come with something new this season. It is basically teamwork.” He revealed.
On a query he expressed “He wants to expand his business and wants to have 50 to 55 nationwide franchises. We have a lot of options because we have product development and a human resource department that are working on the feasibility reports.”
“Rijas is also going to offer many packages to the fresh graduates. If they would like to work with us they would considered and if they want to establish their own business then also they would be accommodated. Rijas would be welcomed all the fashion enthusiasts. Though it’s too hard to manage the raw material including clothing, jewellery, home accessories and shoes but we are committed to accommodate the fashion business lovers.” Kashif was of the view.
“Rijas also offers alluring brand of jewellery named ‘Infinity Rijas’ that is designed by the Spanish and Pakistani designers after working together. Artificial and gold plated Jewellery has been designed with seven precious stones including ruby and polki. Jewellery sets can be available in pricing range from 3000 to 100,000. These sets can be used for weddings and all kinds of parties,” he said.
“Rijas offers latest various designs of the ladies shoes for weddings, party and casual wearing. We are doing with under the brand name ‘Lee Shoe’. It is entirely the creations of Hina Khurram who looks after all the matters regarding shoe making, production and designing. ‘Le shoe’ brand established last year by my sister. She herself designs after watching the latest trends of the international market. Lee shoe has become the most famous brand in the UK, Europe and UAE. Lee shoe has low prices than the market and single pair of shoe can be purchased 800 to 3000.
“Our products have a potential in the international market but precarious law and order situation, energy shortage, economic crises and increasing inflation rate are affecting the manufacturing sector adversely. This is causing the manufacturing cost to rise and thus we are losing the competitive advantage in the international market,” he regretted.
“Government should address these serious issues rather than mere debating. If government facilitates the business community and provides the direct access to international market then there is no need of negotiating with IMF and other financial institutions. We have to spend millions for producing electricity through fuel. Energy crises should be resolved soon otherwise textile sector that carries great significance for our economy would be dragged to deploring situation. It is high time for the government to do something for the textile sector.” Kashif demanded.
Talking about the future plans he articulated “We have been running the real estate’s business in UAE for many years but now we have planned to launch the projects in Raiwind Road and Gulberg Lahore. Under this, we will target the middle income people to bring the idea of such housing scheme that would be affordable for them.”
Further he said that they would also launch a microfinance bank that would be functioning across the country.
Despite the current crises he is optimistic about the future. “The government has to take some positive steps to create a conducive environment for the investment. Pakistan has a lot of potential; it is just have to driven to the right direction,” he concluded.
Labels: Business, Fashion, Interviews, Rijas
posted by Dilshad Rao @ 2:35 PM,
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