Puducherry-based Hidesign launches luxury collection Atelier

With the launch of its luxury collection, brand ‘Atelier’, Puducherry-based leather goods brand Hidesign, is taking the brand one notch up. The brand prides itself on its craftsmanship of handbags and other accessories. Designed by Hidesign’s founder Dilip Kapur, the two collections are named Champagne and Caviar, the former made from ostrich leather while the latter is crafted from deer leather sourced from farms in New Zealand.

This isn’t Hidesign’s first foray into a luxury collection. Its earlier collection by Italian designer Alberto Ciaschini, however, didn’t have much traction. The Atelier collection has been designed by Hidesign at Puducherry to ensure there is a deeper understanding at this early and critical stage. The desire of regular Hidesign customers for a more aspirational product than the regular Hidesign bags and accessories, prompted this new range.

In FY 2016, Hidesign registered sales worth Rs 150 crores and expects to finish the current year at approximately Rs 175 crores. The brand has 74 exclusive stores in India and is distributed across 150 other outlets while it is present across 23 countries where it’s sold across 800 counters.

According to Kapur, ostrich leather is preferred by luxury designers for its random and delicate pattern. The extreme softness and strength of sheep leather for the Caviar collection also makes it the perfect choice for luxury goods, he adds. The Atelier collection starts at Rs 2,595 for wallets and Rs 11,900 for ladies bags and goes up to Rs 25,900. Hidesign’s regular ladies handbags retail in the price band of Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,500.