IN A CONVERSATION, SADIA ISLAM, FOUNDER OF MAANZA LIFE, SPEAKS CANDIDLY ABOUT HER BRAND AND HOW IT AIMS TO CREATE AN INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM FOR LOCAL DESIGNERS.
Founder
Maanza Life
What inspired you to become a fashion entrepreneur?
My affinity towards fashion inspired me to venture into this journey. I find happiness in fashion, and being close to it makes the entire endeavour worthwhile. Perhaps, the most intriguing aspect of being a fashion entrepreneur is the opportunity to put my entrepreneurial skills towards altruistic ends and to have an overall positive impact on the industry.
‘MAANZA CREATORS,’ OR AS I CALL THEM, MAANZA DES ATELIER, CONSISTS OF MASTER ARTISTS, TAILORS, WEAVERS, PAINTERS, AND FASHIONABLE ATTIRE ENTHUSIASTS WHO COLLABORATE WITH US IN STRETCHING THE BOUNDARIES OF TRADITIONAL FASHION.
How do you walk the line between being unique and having commercial appeal? What would you say makes Maanza Life stand out as a fashion label?
I have trained artisans for decades to produce collections that exude self-love and confidence; at the same time, ensure outstanding construction. I have heard people complain about Maanza Life not creating commercial ready-to-wear lines, but they fail to contemplate my journey as an artist and a designer. It’s about pushing myself to be better in every way possible in the Bangladeshi market. On the business side, the deshi-design retail industry is incredibly lucrative, and Maanza Life aspires to make a significant impact in the market. We aspire to facilitate a modern lifestyle wear brand that will project an aesthetic that integrates athleticism and seduction in the mass market.
In order to stand out in the market, we plan on getting the basics right. It includes facilitating shopping on multiple channels, having a consistent brand image, being diligent about our social responsibilities and being true to the core values.
WE PLAN TO DEBUT AT LEAST 30 COMMUNITY-RUN EVENTS IN THE NEIGHOURHOOD OF OUR NEWLY LAUNCHED FLAGSHIP STORE. MAANZA WILL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY IN A UNIQUE WAY WHERE DESIGNERS WILL GET A CHANCE TO WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH ICONIC BRANDS AND ARTISANS.
You are providing a platform for the community of designers to showcase their creations. Can you please provide some information about the ‘Maanza Creators’?
The primary mission of Maanza Life is to create an international platform that enables our local designers to showcase their inherent talent in the world of fashion. We endeavour to champion creators who love exploring and pushing the boundaries of design. From virtual events, runway shows to retail experiences – artists and designers will get the chance to debut their talent in ways beyond the confines of our local industry. ‘Maanza Creators,’ or as I call them, Maanza Des Atelier, consists of master artists, tailors, weavers, painters, and fashionable attire enthusiasts who collaborate with us in stretching the boundaries of traditional fashion.
Maanza Life has successfully created a significant customer following within a year with strong brand loyalty. How do you envision the growth of the brand in the coming years?
Maanza Life is not just a retail brand – it has been created to be the epitome of feminine charm and a community for flourishing designers. Some of our creations take 600 hours of embroidery, 200 hours of atelier work, and hours of scrutiny from my end – We put in the work and leave nothing to chance. We plan to debut at least 30 community-run events in the neighourhood of our newly launched flagship store. Maanza will continue to engage with the community in a unique way where designers will get a chance to work in collaboration with iconic brands and artisans. It will be the foundation on which the brand will keep building. Although businesses are inherently designed to focus on customer acquisition and revenue generation, Maanza will be defined by its impact on the industry and the lives it envisions to change.
MAANZA
House Z/2, Salimullah Road, Block D, Mohammadpur, Dhaka
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