A colourful journey takes a new twist

It was 21 years back, when four young men in Narayanganj started the journey. The starting was very humble with a small shop but the dream was quite great and obviously very colourful. Choice of the name, Rang - a Bengali word that means colour - is quite significant. Very few in Narayanganj at that time could think that a seed of a 'Bangladeshi Brand' was sowed in a town that was once branded as 'Dundee of the East' and renowned for the jute industry.     
THE EARLY DAYS:
Two of the four 'musketeers', Soumik Das and Biplob Saha, were students of the Institute of Fine Arts at Dhaka University while rest two, Zakirul Hayder Babu and Mamun Al Kabir, were studying B Com in local Tolaram College at that time. They were all from the same batch that passed the SSC and HSC examinations.   
Yes, they start their business with very small capital, Tk 40,000 only. Each of them contributes equal amount. They start to sell Sari, Salwar-kameez, Punjabi and Fatua as well as handicrafts. All of these are made of local fabrics with attractive combination of colours. Most importantly, all are products of handloom and handicrafts. Thus, from the very beginning Rang keeps its focus on local products. Within a short span of time, products of Rang start to gain popularity mostly among the women in Narayanganj.  
Santana Market, the shopping complex where the Rang is situated, was in gloomy shape. Shopping especially for the women was not conducive there at all due to gathering of local musclemen. Rang takes the 'challenge' to overcome the odd. Babu, Mamun and Soumik have a common friend circle from their school days who already tied themselves under a banner SETU - a Bengali term meaning bridge. There were more than 30 young men and young ladies with the initiative. In fact, immediately after their SSC examination, this group of youth published a magazine titled SETU in 1989 to consolidate their bondage of friendship for a longer period. These friends, their family members, other friends and relatives all extended their moral supports to make Rang a success. Some of the friends extensively volunteered in the shop to ensure smooth selling, some regularly accompanied the owners to assist in production and supply while some others kept their continuous presence to make the shopping complex environment conducive and customer friendly. Local musclemen also started to reduce their undue presence and even some of them extended cooperation.
Thus within a short period of time, Santana Market becomes a place for pleasant shopping with Rang at its centre. Some other shops, mostly for wears, cosmetics, toiletries and fashion accessories, also gradually take positions in the complex. Meantime, Rang also starts moderate expansion by opening new showrooms. It expands network in Dhaka after 2000 as its products and designs already attracted consumers and fashion-savvy people.  
SETTING A TREND:
With the motto of 'painting the time' Rang has introduced a new dimension in the trend of clothing and fashion. Rang's concept of fashion has grown round the quest for and celebration of national heritage. And Rang becomes a brand name in the greater fashion industry of Bangladesh. Biplob Saha, now an eminent fashion designer of the country, put tireless effort to bring diversity in the products of Rang. His innovative ideas are continuously backed by Soumik Das who mostly focused on operational aspects of Rang.     
In a bid to ensure smooth production and supply line, from the very beginning Rang makes a pool of outsourcers. A good number of women, especially younger ones, who have some skills of work on fabrics, comprise the pool. Initially, these women were a good backup for production. As the operation and sales expand, Rang also develops its own dedicated production unit while diversify the outsourcings. For instance, a good number of weavers in Pathrail of Tangail, the renowned weaving hub of country, make supply of a big portion of Rang's products especially clothing.
Rang's products basket includes: Sari, Salwar-kameez, Punjabi, Fatua, Shirts, T-shirts, Polo shirts, Orna, Lungi, Bed covers, blouse piece and gift items such as Mugs, CDs, Ladies' bag, Mobile bag, bangles, ornaments etc.
Rang becomes a trend setter in the country's fashion and boutique industry. Rang's concept of fashion is centred on the spirit of variety and variation in concentration of colours. This is clearly reflected in most of the products. Above all, Rang, like some other fashion brands of the country, fully gives attention to local products and ingredients. It believes in simultaneous motivation of flourishing the domestic handloom and handicraft industry.  
FROM ONE TO TWO
Among the founders Mr Kabir left the fashion house within a few years and later migrated to London. Mr Hayder also de-linked himself from the business around 10 years back. He now lives in Australia. Thus growth of Rang rides on continuous effort of Mr Saha and Mr Das.
Finally, the two partners decided to wind up their partnership business. Thus, after 21 years of its journey, Rang has been split into 'Bishwo Rang' and 'Rang Bangladesh.' Mr Saha is the sole owner of the former and Mr Das of the latter. Though they decided to split through mutual understanding and agreement, there were some differences among themselves that ultimately drive the split.
But, optimism is there that the fashion industry in Bangladesh will not lose due to such split as two new entities are likely to bring more diversified products with new designs. As the colourful journey of 21 years takes a new twist, it also brings wider opportunity to promote Bangladeshi handloom and handicrafts.
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