Latkans, a must have fashion accessory this Deepavali

A shopping spree in India turned into a business opportunity for home-maker S. Thilaga when several pairs of 'latkans' or tassels which she bought for personal use began to be noticed.

“I had accidently bumped into these latkans during a trip to India last year. I was excited when I saw them, they looked so chic and so I bought a few designs for me. But people began to notice and slowly the word spread,” she said. Latkans are decorative hangings which comes in various colours, sizes and lengths are normally seen on saree blouses and Punjabi suits. The longer ones are used to accessorise long skirts and lenghas. latkans

latkans

Latkans are also used to be paired with long skirts and lenghas - Source Facebook Niranjana.com

Encouraged with the reception she received towards the accessory, Thilaga placed orders for more latkans. Eight months later, she became a wholesaler, supplying these beautiful accessories to tailoring shops and other entrepreneurs, most of whom are online-based.

"It was only later that I realised many people were also looking for the latkans which we usually see Bollywood and South Indian heroines wearing on screen," she said, adding that her latkans were priced at RM1 to RM150 per pair.

Operating online using her Facebook page Niranjana.com, she said her customers whom in the beginning only purchased the latkans for personal use, had turned into distributors themselves.

This happened when they realised more people wanted to buy them as it was new and added glamour to an otherwise simple blouse.

“Today, I supply to a dozen shops in Klang, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur and Johor,” said the mother of two.

She noted that most people today prefer to design their own clothes and like to add a little something to their ready-made suits.

"I also have brides-to-be who ask me to design their wedding saree blouses and many of them bring their sarees along and ask for advice on which latkans to use," she added.

latkans

S.Thilaga wearing a hip latkans and on the right shows her designer blouse

A retailer from Batu Caves, Vinothini Sandra, 30 meanwhile said many of her friends noticed the latkans on her saree blouses and wanted to get some too.

“I saw the potential there and decided to stock up on them. It started small, with close friends and family members but now I have orders from Penang till Johor,” she said.

Vinothini who began selling them through her Facebook page Chanthini Sareez said her customers are looking for more designs.

“Once they have latkans sewn on their blouses, they cannot go without it. Some say they feel incomplete without the latkans on their blouses,” she added.

She said the trend is not only limited to the younger generation. Many older women in their 40s and early 50s are also accesorising their bloeses whith these bautiful tassels.

latkans

Latkans adds glamour to simple saree blouses - Source Facebook