Sandeep Gonsalves & Sarah Gonsalves | Founders

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Sandeep Gonsalves & Sarah Gonsalves

Founders
Sarah & Sandeep

Clean future forward designs

Established in 2012, Sarah & Sandeep is a luxury menswear label synonymous with the authentic bespoke experience. The designer duo talks about their brand and plans for the future.

Fibre2Fashion: What was the inspiration behind founding of the brand?

Sandeep Gonsalves & Sarah Gonsalves:

To add a design forward approach to bespoke clothing.

F2F: Which are the categories the brand is into?

SG&SG:

Our brand is into menswear. Kidswear and womenwear styles will be introduced in near future.

F2F: Who are your target audience?

SG&SG:

Our target clients are high net worth individual (HNI) and ultra HNI individuals with a penchant for minimal geometric design and sharp silhouettes.

F2F: What is the USP of your products?

SG&SG:

Clean future forward designs and true bespoke tailoring on all styles.

F2F: What is your market positioning like?

SG&SG:

We have positioned the brand as an all-in-one luxury label for men's formalwear. With the launch of the womenswear category, we will be keeping the luxury element consistent and providing the same level of service while keeping our geometric design aesthetic intact.

F2F: Which category sells the most and what is the price point?

SG&SG:

Indian and Western menswear.

F2F: What are the price points of your saris?

SG&SG:

Average ticket value for western menswear is Rs 95,000 and for Indian menswear is Rs 120,000.

F2F: What is your retail presence?

SG&SG:

Our flagship studio is in Mumbai. We are also present in two multi-brand outlets (MBOs).

F2F: What is your brand's online presence?

SG&SG:

We are present on Aza online, Carma online, Aashni and Co, Evoluzione

F2F: Which are your major markets in India and abroad?

SG&SG:

Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat.

F2F: What is the breakup of your product categories (salewise) for the export market?

SG&SG:

Our product breakup for the export market is: 70 per cent tuxedo styles, 20 per cent bespoke blazers and suits, 10 per cent Indian menswear for NRI clients.

F2F: What kind of brand building strategies do you implement?

SG&SG:

We have distribution partnerships and independent bespoke consultants in tier-I and II markets.

F2F: Which other product categories do you plan to move into future?

SG&SG:

Kidswear and athleisure.

F2F: What has been your growth story in the last three years (excluding 2020)?

SG&SG:

During the past three years, we have moved from a 900 sq ft space to a 3500 sq ft flagship studio in Mumbai. Additionally, we have held our first international campaign, our first international trunk shows and expanded our global presence with a wardrobe partnership with Sacramento Kings of the NBA during their visit to India. We have expanded into tier-2 markets with biannual trunk shows and see a growth of over 300 per cent during this period.

F2F: What has been the impact of Covid in terms of sales, staff cutdown, rentals, stocks etc?

SG&SG:

Our sales were heavily impacted till August, but it is back to normal now. We did not lay off any staff and our rental property was maintained successfully.

F2F: How does your supply chain network work?

SG&SG:

We deliver products globally with the help of e-commerce shipping partners.

F2F: Where are your vendors based?

SG&SG:

We work with fabric vendors from all around the world with a majority of our fabric imported from the United Kingdom and Italy. Our lining vendors are based in Japan and our buttons come from Peru.

F2F: If you are looking for vendors, what are the top 3 qualities you look for beyond the givens of quality, lead time, compliances etc?

SG&SG:

Adaptability, communication, dependability.

F2F: What kind of machinery does your manufacturing facility boast of?

SG&SG:

Everything we make is handcrafted. The only machines we incorporate is contemporary tailoring booths that are used for achieving top tier bespoke tailoring.

F2F: Sustainability and circularity are the buzz words today. How do you incorporate them into your product lines?

SG&SG:

We utilise Bemberg lining from Japan into our western styles which is biodegradable as opposed to polyester which has a very large carbon footprint. Additionally, our packaging is currently sustainable as can be.

F2F: What are your long-term sustainability goals?

SG&SG:

We would like to introduce Indianwear capsule collections with fabrics that are more environment friendly. (PC)

This article was first published in the February 2021 edition of the print magazine.

Published on: 08/03/2021

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This interview was first published in the Feb 2021 edition of the print magazine

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