Q&A: Dilip Kapur, Founder & President, Hidesign

'You will hear more about Hidesign'

Puducherry-based luxury leather brand Hidesign, in which Louis Vuitton holds a 20 per cent stake, is set to launch its eyewear brand in the next quarter. Also on the cards is a range of jewellery, handbags etc along with designer Rohit Bal. Founder and president Dilip Kapur spoke to Pravda Godbole

When will Hidesign launch its new eyewear brand?
That will happen in the next three to four months. It will be distributed through 51 Hidesign shops along with 40 multi-brand stores, to start with.

What are the target markets for the brand?
We will start with India in the first phase and then expand to other fast developing markets like Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

 

Where will the product be manufactured/imported from?
The products have been designed by Hidesign and will be manufactured at the finest manufacturing facility of a company which is the primary manufacturer of most luxury brands. It has facilities in Europe and China. This is one of the largest luxury sunglasses brand.

What kind of a price-point are you looking at?
On an average it would be between Rs 4000 and Rs 5000.

Which are the other new categories Hidesign will explore?
We have an exciting line up of categories related to our core segment of bags. You will hear more about us in the coming year.

What is the current store count and how many more will open, by when?
Hidesign currently has 51 exclusive stores across India. We should reach the 60-mark by this calendar year.

What kind of partnerships are in the offing?
Hidesign’s joint venture with the Future Group has led to the launch of a successful fashion accessories brand for the modern Indian woman called Holii. It has fared well in the market and you will see rapid expansion in product offering and newer categories. Hidesign is currently working with Rohit Bal on a new luxury brand for the modern Indian woman. It is too early to talk about other tie-ups right now.

What kind of a tieup do you have with Braccialini – the 50-year old Italian leather accessories company?
It is too early to talk about it. We are currently in discussions with them.

Apart from the likes of the Rohit Bal collection, are there any niche offerings that Hidesign will introduce in the future?
Hidesign will launch a luxury brand with modern Indian sensibilities in the coming months. This will be independent of Hidesign.

What kind of growth rate did the brand see in the last year and what is expected in the year ahead?
We grew at about 22 to 28 per cent last year and we expect to maintain that for the coming year as well.