Feature
Ahang – a new approach to traditional fashion
To fashion connoisseurs, Ahang is a name that does not need any introduction. The fashion house, with its unique offerings, is a well known house of quality fashion wear. Let it be fashion for men, women, or even children, Ahang has always something for everyone.
Since its inception, Ahang has been providing something different for its customers. The fashion house is also a regular supplier of products for Grameenphone.
The key persons behind the fashion house are its managing director and designer Marzan Hadi Jhuma and its chairman MA Hadi. In truth, it is the team effort of MA Hadi and Marzan Hadi, which brought the fashion house where it stands today.
Married in real-life, MA Hadi and Marzan Hadi started Ahang in 2003 with a vision to add a new dimension to the country’s fashion industry. Marzan Hadi designed cloths and MA Hadi was there to assist her.
Speaking about her career in fashion designing, Marzan Hadi said, “Since my childhood, I have been keen on designing dresses. I used to design my own dress and also make clothes for my sisters. In fact designing is something which is always in my vein. But back in those days, it was just my favourite pastime.”
After her graduation, Marzan Hadi started teaching at Maple Leaf International School.
“I used to wear clothes designed by me. Seeing the designs, my colleagues appreciated my clothes sense and asked me to make dresses for them. Since then, I used to make clothes for the guys whom I knew and loved,” she added.
“On special occasions such as Eid, Pahela Baishakh or Puja, I used to make clothes and hold regular exhibitions at home. The people who knew me used to come to my house and buy them,” said Marzan Hadi
“The response I received from my customers inspired me to change my career from teaching to fashion designing. MA Hadi, my husband, has also inspired me greatly.” said Marzan Hadi.
“Back in 2001, I started my business with a block man and a tailor. Within six months, my block man informed me that the WAV fair would be held at the Wonderland at Gulshan. He also asked me to participate in the fair. I participated in the fair under the name Marzan’s. That fair was a major turning point for me. I was greatly inspired by its success,” she continued.
“Later, I participated in some fairs and customers started loving our products. In 2003, I started Ahang in Tejgaon with the help of my husband and I would like to thank Almighty Allah for his blessings,” Marzan added.
About the secret of Ahang’s success, Marzan revealed, “We never make the second copy of any product. Uniqueness is guaranteed at Ahang. It has been 10 years and we have never sold a second copy of any of our products. We can guarantee that our designs are not available anywhere.”
Speaking about the Eid offerings of Ahang, Marzan said, “For the last two years we have noticed that traditional saris are given priority in Eid fashion. So, this year we have made various designs of traditional saris available. We also have selwar and kamiz for girls, panjabi and fatua for boys. This Eid fashion is dominated by yellow and orange colours.”
Ahang is known both for its unique designs and high prices of its products. MA Hadi said,“ We never compromise with quality. We give our customers the best. To produce something of such standards, we have to import majority of the accessories associated with clothe manufacturing from abroad. If they were available in Bangladesh we could have been able to provide the clothes at lower prices. Also there are high customs duties on imported goods.”
About his future plan, Marzan Hadi said, “I dream of opening Ahang outlets in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.”
-With Daily Sun input