Apparel-August 2020 | Page 37

FEATURE that people have hectic lives and find it difficult to go to the mall regularly. Social media too has a huge impact on the younger generation. It also helps bring more attention and exposure to a brand thus building the brand image and also driving sales.” The Luxe touch Bringing luxury sleepwear to the modern woman, The Calm Collective, sets a new benchmark within the sleepwear industry. Neha Gill, Founder, The Calm Collective says, “The Industry has evolved both in terms of market levels and design in the last five years. Online platforms that enable young brands like us to go direct to customers have accelerated this change. In terms of market levels, there are several long standing high street brands and hypermarket brands that have traditionally catered to sleepwear customers. However, the newer entrants in the marketplace have added a premium to luxury segments that cater to a more discerning customer. These are the ones who are well- travelled and who understand quality and good fits and are willing to pay for the same.” She further adds, “In future, I expect that this segment of premium to luxury sleepwear will only continue to grow. Design has also evolved over the years with different brands developing individual handwriting to carve out their own niche for the customers they cater to. The response has been heartening, and we have managed to reach pan – India. More customers are getting comfortable shopping online. Even Gen X is no longer hesitant while trying a new brand online. So it`s not just millennials who are shopping online.” With The Calm Collective’s new Spring/ Summer 2020 collection Neha will continue to expand the same signature handwriting in terms of design aesthetics. They plan to launch brighter colours as summer dawns. Peach, pink, navy blue, grey, and green are some of the colours included in the collection. Nightwear will include various styles of shorts, pajamas, nightshirts, kaftans and sleep dresses. Their sizes are cut across XS TO XL. Lastly, speaking in favour of the premium pricing for sleepwear, she says “There is always a threshold for every product in every market level beyond which a customer will not convert. However, that threshold has been pushed substantially in the last few years and we have found customers willing to spend more than they have been known to in the past for a good pair of pajamas that were well designed and finished.” This goes to show that the industry is indeed mapping newer growth contours at every juncture and that more brands are likely to enter the segment with trendier offerings in the days to come. APPAREL I August 2020 I 35