Every few weeks, there is a topic about how they want to go to Pakistan from some Western country for bridal shopping, but are unsure about the safety situation.
Why doesn’t some entrepreneur in Dubai sees this as an opportunity and open up a bridal shopping market targeted towards Pakistanis? Dubai will provide the safe environment, the adequate facilities of all types (transportation, hotel, food, entertainment), and the shopping. I know there are already plenty of Pakistani tailors in Dubai, so why not get some more that specialize in bridal wear.
Problem solved. ABCD’s will not have to worry about safety situation, they can shop for clothes in a semi-Western environment, and can even have access to Indian stuff if they are into that. And Pakistanis get to sell their clothes, shoes and jewelery at premium prices. Everyone wins.
Maybe it already exists. Although I have heard London is really good too for this kind of shopping?
No matter how hard you try, its difficult to duplicate the type of work that is done in Pakistan by Pakistani designers. I see the difference, I live about 45 minutes away from Devon Ave which in FULL of desi boutiques and there is only ONE that I will go to if I have an event and dont have the time to wait for my clothes from Pak. And even that one shop is a LAST resort.
It is also SUPER hard to find a good tailor in Chicago even though its desi central.
at the end of the day its all about margins.
desi designers pay pittance to their kareegar and have high prices on their products.
they simply would not be able to pay that little to ppl in dubai..cost of living is higher, so you will get into the hassle of getting things made in pakistan and then shipped out, but then again margins issue comes in because showroom prices are signifincatly higher than in Karachi for example.
and these 'karigar' u need to be on their head to make sure they do consistent high quality work. shipping off work to contractors in pakistan can be very dodgy, u have to be there in person
would you be willing to pay 30-40% more to buy the same or similar item in dubai than in Pakistan?
at the end of the day its all about margins.
desi designers pay pittance to their kareegar and have high prices on their products.
they simply would not be able to pay that little to ppl in dubai..cost of living is higher, so you will get into the hassle of getting things made in pakistan and then shipped out, but then again margins issue comes in because showroom prices are signifincatly higher than in Karachi for example.
and these 'karigar' u need to be on their head to make sure they do consistent high quality work. shipping off work to contractors in pakistan can be very dodgy, u have to be there in person
would you be willing to pay 30-40% more to buy the same or similar item in dubai than in Pakistan?
Sure, happens with everything doesn't it? If it's a much cleaner environment without all the hassles associated with shopping in Pakistan, then why not? Visiting and shopping Dubai isn't for everyone, it's for a person with an above average income who is used to the finer things in life.
If it is a person with above average income used to finer things in life they can set appointments with boutiques in Pakistan and get A class service. There would be little to complain about.. People complaining are usually running around in bazaars.
If it is a person with above average income used to finer things in life they can set appointments with boutiques in Pakistan and get A class service. There would be little to complain about.. People complaining are usually running around in bazaars.
Regarding designers..visit the wedding forum.. horror storie about "professional" designers ripping off customers and giving the worst possible service ever...
Dubai retail space is hideously expensive and thats where they are losing out, Indians have capitalized on the wedding shopping and fashion scene there, clothes, jewelery and so on but compared to shopping in Pakistan or India itself its still way over the top, with a much limited variety. Even the super rich desis living in Dubai prefer to go to Pakistan for a wedding shopping spree.
The bottom line is that the dollar goes a long way when you shop in Pakistan, the quality and variety of stuff you get there is unparalleled, and thats what people are after.
We have all the designers under one roof in Dubai at a place called "The Designers Lounge" HSY, Nomi, Maria B, Rizwan beyg.. then we have Amir Adnan and FnK Asia shops in Dubai and Sharjah...
A new boutique that carries outfits of Sana Safinaz, Faiza Samee, Umar Sayeed, Nilofer Shahid opened up recently called "Soiree"..
We have all the designers under one roof in Dubai at a place called "The Designers Lounge" HSY, Nomi, Maria B, Rizwan beyg.. then we have Amir Adnan and FnK Asia shops in Dubai and Sharjah...
A new boutique that carries outfits of Sana Safinaz, Faiza Samee, Umar Sayeed, Nilofer Shahid opened up recently called "Soiree"..
That's cool. So I guess it is happening on a limited scale.
I can see the problems associated with it, the market is probably not there.
There's a HUGE market :) people are always buying... if not buying directly from the stores/boutiques they place orders there with specific designers. Dubai also has plenty of Pakistani fabric shops and tailors!
You can def. do bridal shopping in dubai. I'll be getting the sari and blouse I got from there and will post it. I got 4 saris but had the Kaam on them done in PK. I guess the problem I see in Dubai is the styles are very Indian and that too from Tamil Nadu and weird areas so its just not very tasteful.
That's shops like Benzer, Regal , Kachins and all.. but if u ever get a chance to visit Kimaya, The Designers Lounge or Soiree u'll see the latest trends and clothes from Pakistan.. they even have in-house designers that work with u're material and budget.
Regarding designers..visit the wedding forum.. horror storie about "professional" designers ripping off customers and giving the worst possible service ever...
yeah when you do business with them over the phone they will screw you over. I have never had shopkeepers in pakistan try to give me subpar products. Showing up in a huge old beat up jeep with baluchistan plates may have been the reason, but when they know you can show up and you may be someone or know someone or be a ghunda badmaash, they will not mess with you.
when mummy daddy bacchis from us and uk trust these people and send them the money, then of course, they will do what they do, nothing protects the consumer. and how exactly will your emails or phone calls convince them to take the product back, pay for shipping back and then send you the right product that they should have sent you the first time around.
really your emails and phonecalls dont annoy them so much that they will take a hit on their margin. We get enough emails from designers whimpering that we should take off posts that have any disparaging info about them.
wait till they see when the business review is launched :D