Fashion boutiques in Koramangala are grabbing eyeballs for all the right reasons. These one-stop fashion shops have turned into the perfect launch pads for aspiring designers. The high revenue yielding start-ups have gained clients from the South Indian film and television industry as well.

KORAMANGALA: Fashion boutiques in Koramangala are grabbing eyeballs for all the right reasons. These one-stop fashion shops have turned into the perfect launch pads for aspiring designers. The high revenue yielding start-ups have gained clients from the South Indian film and television industry as well. 

RSG Collection by Rupa is a well-known brand among the South Indian film producers for their affordable and chic line of design. Initially targeting only the elite fashionistas of Koramnagala, Vatsala Dixit and her fashion designer sister started their own brand in 2011. With initial investments not exceeding Rs 7 lakh, the Dixit sisters have created the 'it' brand for Koramangala's fash frat. 

"We started the business because we wanted to bring in customised fashion among the mall shoppers. This is when we came up with RSG. Initially it was only Koramangala, where we got famous with our designs, but soon the word spread and we dressed up celebrities and wives of politicians as well," said Vatsala, a co-founder of RSG Collection by Rupa. 

Operating from the 4th Block of Koramangala, RSG stocks everything from apparel to accessories. "When producers or would-be brides come to us they want to pick up a complete ensemble. So we give them a costume with accessories," added Vatsala. 

Having grown double its initial size, RSG has a monthly turnover of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. The sisters have managed to dress up quite a few big names like Sindhu Loknath. Their costumes were used in Sandalwood (Kannad film industry) movies such as, Lifeu Ishtene, Paramathma and Engagement. 

With an apparel range starting from Rs 15,000 and going up to a few lakhs, the profits for RSG range between 20 percent and 50 percent depending on the design and the client. They also rent clothes for movies, where the rate for renting is 20 percent the costume cost. 

The rent-a-dress concept has been popular at weddings. Cashing in on this, another new brand here is redefining fashion in Bangalore with their complete range of fashion solution for brides across all communities in India. The Bride -Fashion Boutique, at Block 5, Koramangala is the ultimate destination for weddings shoppers. 

"Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city and many a times it is difficult for a north Indian or a Bengali bride to find their kind of costumes in the city. We thus, customise costumes for our customers," said Garima Maheshwari, owner of the fashion boutique. 

Since most of the heavy bridal lehengas are worn only for the big day and remains locked in the closet for a lifetime, Maheshwari says hers is the only brand in South Bangalore that rents out everything from Bridal saris and lehengas along with matching jewelry. 

With a hefty sum of Rs 45 lakh as the initial investment, The Bride started in 2010 and has grown by 250 percent in just two years. Though Maheshwari's startup was targeted the bridal market of Koramangala, the one-stop-shop also stocks clothes, accessories and shoes for the corporate segment as well. According to Maheshwari 50 percent of her clients are corporate employees, 40 percent are would-be brides and 10 percent are college students. 

While wedding outfit rental ranges between Rs 3,500 and Rs 10,000, and costume jewellery range between Rs 500 and Rs 4,000, the prices for costumes at The Bride start at Rs 7,500 and can go up to a few lakhs. With monthly sales between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, profits for The Bride vary anywhere between 20 percent and 35 percent. The company is now all set to increase the production team's strength and has set aside a budget of Rs 2 lakh. This would be followed by the brand's participation in the Bangalore Fashion week 2014.