8 minute read
Zubi Fashion
The Visionary Behind Zubi Fashion
Zaibunnisa Khan, affectionately known as Zubi, is the co-owner of Zubi Fashion, a boutique that has been flourishing for the past twenty-seven years. From a young age, Zubi developed a deep passion for styling and fashion, greatly influenced by her mother, Fatima Khan, who started the business. Armed with a background in Business Administration (BBA), Zubi has successfully merged her academic knowledge with her love for design, creating a niche that has profoundly influenced her career and continues to inspire her every day.
The Origins of Zubi Fashion
The origins of Zubi Fashion are deeply rooted in family tradition and passion. Fatima Khan, Zubi's mother, laid the foundation for the boutique, instilling in her daughter a love for fashion and an entrepreneurial spirit. This early exposure to the world of fashion ignited a fire in Zubi, leading her to pursue a career that seamlessly blends her academic prowess with her innate design sensibilities.
A Legacy of Passion and Innovation
Zaibunnisa Khan's journey began with her mother's dream, which she nurtured and grew into a thriving business. With her BBA background, Zubi brought a strategic approach to the boutique, enhancing its growth and reach. Her ability to merge traditional Indian aesthetics with contemporary styles has set Zubi Fashion apart in a competitive market.
Defining the Brand's Identity
Zubi Fashion is renowned for its distinctive design philosophy, which blends traditional Indian aesthetics with contemporary styles. Each piece, whether it's a kurti, designer saree blouse, salwar kameez, or a wedding lehenga, reflects a fusion of rich cultural heritage and modern trends.
The Art of Customisation
One of the key elements that define Zubi Fashion's identity is its commitment to customisations. Unlike many other brands that offer ready-made garments, Zubi Fashion provides personalised fitting and design services. Clients can customise their outfits to the smallest detail, ensuring a perfect fit and a design that aligns with their style. This bespoke service adds a personal touch that many larger brands can't match.
Sourcing Fabrics and Materials
Zubi Fashion sources its fabrics from various regions across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, and Ahmedabad. Their most cherished Chikankari kurtis come from Lucknow, renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship.
A Hands-On Approach
Zubi personally visits these places, studies the market, and sources each material firsthand. She considers customer preferences, current trends, and popular styles on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest before selecting any fabric or ready-made piece. This hands-on approach ensures that Zubi Fashion offers a diverse collection that caters to a wide range of needs, from regular wear to high-end party wear.
The Design Process
The design process at Zubi Fashion is a meticulous journey from concept to final product. It begins with a direct conversation with the customer to discuss their budget, preferences, and style. Based on this discussion, Zubi and her team show options that align with the customer's preferences.
From Selection to Customisation
Once the customer selects a design, the customisation process begins. This usually takes about two and a half weeks. However, during holidays, festive seasons, and wedding seasons, it may take longer due to the increased workload. After the first fitting, any necessary alterations are made to ensure the garment fits perfectly. Once everything is complete, the customer can collect their order with satisfaction.
Ensuring Quality and Craftsmanship
Quality and craftsmanship are paramount at Zubi Fashion. After the embroidery or stitching work is done, Zubi's mother, Fatima Khan, personally checks the work. The boutique uses high-quality zardozi, sugar beads, kardana, aari, and pearls for their embroidery. The intricate designs are crafted by in- house karigars from different parts of India, bringing a wide range of cultural backgrounds to the creation of unique products.
Balancing Tradition and Contemporary Trends
Traditional Indian fashion plays an essential role in Zubi Fashion's designs. The boutique draws inspiration from India's rich cultural heritage, incorporating classical stitching, embroidery techniques, and motifs into their work.
A Fusion of Old and New
Balancing tradition with contemporary trends involves a keen understanding of both. Zubi Fashion integrates modern cuts, styles, and trends seen on social media platforms with traditional elements tocreate unique, timeless pieces. This fusion ensures that their designs remain relevant and appealing while honoring the timeless beauty of Indian craftsmanship.
The Eid Radiance 2024 Collection
One of the recent collections that Zubi is particularly proud of is the 'Eid Radiance 2024'. This series features a variety of reels and posts showcasing ready-made Indian wear like co-ords, oversized suits, and much more.
Celebrating Festive Fashion
The 'Eid Radiance 2024' collection captures the festive and colorful essence of ethnic wear. It is a long-awaited endeavor for Zubi Fashion, designed to keep up with the modest modern fashion trends and cater to their clients' evolving tastes.
Staying Ahead of Fashion Trends
Keeping up with changing fashion trends while maintaining the essence of the brand is a dynamic process at Zubi Fashion. The boutique stays updated with the latest trends by following fashion weeks, trend forecasts, and popular fashion platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Engaging with clients to understand their preferences and needs is also a crucial part of this process.
Blending Innovation with Tradition
Despite the changing trends and lifestyles, Zubi Fashion ensures that their core values and unique aesthetic, reflecting their ethnicity, are preserved. By blending contemporary styles with traditional elements, they create pieces that are both trendy and true to the essence of Zubi Fashion. This constant innovation and adaptation result in designs that offer a perfect balance of modern flair and cultural heritage.
Marketing and Promotion Strategies
Zubi Fashion's marketing and promotional strategies have evolved significantly over the years. Initially, the boutique relied solely on word of mouth, which was incredibly effective in building a strong, loyal customer base across the state.
Embracing Digital Marketing
As times changed, Zubi Fashion embraced digital marketing to reach a broader audience. They use Facebook and Instagram ads to showcase their latest collections and engage with customers through visually appealing content. WhatsApp has also become a valuable tool for direct communication with clients, providing personalized service and updates.
Personal Touch in Promotion
Zubi personally wears the boutique's outfits and posts pictures when a new collection is launched. This helps customers see the products in real-life settings and understand how they would look when worn by a commoner, rather than seeing models and highly altered images. This combination of traditional and modern marketing strategies ensures that Zubi Fashion remains a well-known and trusted brand in both local and broader markets.
Managing Production Logistics
Managing the logistics of production, especially for custom orders or large quantities, is a wellcoordinated effort at Zubi Fashion. For custom orders, clients are usually asked to visit the store to place their orders. Each client is allotted a unique order number to efficiently track their purchases.
Handling Large Orders
For large quantity orders, such as school uniforms, medical scrubs, and industrial boiler suits, the Zubi Fashion team visits the respective facility to conduct measurements of every individual. This section is handled by Zubi's father, Nadir Khan. Once the order is complete, it is delivered to the provided address. If any alterations or adjustments are needed, customers can visit the store for personalized alterations.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Zaibunnisa Khan has always been inspired by her mother's hard work and achievements. Her mother built an empire from scratch, teaching Zubi that everything takes time and that consistency and passion are key.
Lessons Learned from Experience
When Zubi first started the business, she had no clue how it worked or how the market operated. However, driven by her passion for fashion, she stayed consistent and began to understand the market better. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to understand their niche, as authenticity and quality will set them apart and build loyal customers. Zubi encourages them to keep learning and let their unique vision shine.
Conclusion
Zaibunnisa Khan's journey with Zubi Fashion is a testament to the power of passion, consistency, and innovation. From its humble beginnings under the guidance of Fatima Khan to its current status as a thriving boutique, Zubi Fashion has remained true to its roots while embracing the future. With a unique blend of traditional Indian aesthetics and contemporary styles, Zubi Fashion continues to inspire and delight its customers, offering a perfect balance of modern flair and cultural heritage.
