Kompanero is positioned as a bridge to luxury, natural and sustainable fashion brand. Each bag is handcrafted and piece-dyed. They are then individually distressed. Each of them is unique- one of a kind. Even the term ‘limited edition’ would seem a misfit. We strive to create products that grow in character over time, relevant to the current fashion trend, its director Indranath Sengupta informs S&A.
How different is Kompanero from those in the competition? Give us an overview
The deep passion for leather and natural sustainable materials along with our love for handcrafting desirable and marvelous masterpieces motivate us to make beautiful bags and accessories that carry your world. Each Kompanero bag is handcrafted and piece-dyed. They are then individually distressed. Each of them is unique- one of a kind. Even the term ‘limited edition’ would seem a misfit.
The competition is busy making classic leather bags that look hardly any different from cheaper synthetic bags. While the unique aged and distressed look is available only with Kompanero and no other brand (synthetic or leather) has been able to replicate it so far.
Our design language is so differentiated that when one sees a Kompanero bag, they don’t have to look for the brand logo or genuine leather stamp; they instantly know that it is a Kompanero.
How is it positioned in the market?
Kompanero is positioned as a bridge to luxury natural and sustainable fashion brand.
What elements best describe the brand?
We strive to create products that grow in character over time, relevant to the current fashion trend. This unique character is achieved by a special ageing process that all the products go through. The finish and style interpretation of KOMPANERO is natural, matured, and has a little bit of deliberate imperfect and rustic feel. Our design DNA can be called bold, differentiated, anti- massy, and timeless.
Give us an overview of the brand’s product portfolio. What new diversification can we expect in the future?
Our best selling products would be leather bags-sling bags, backpacks, portfolios, messenger bags, travel bags, wallets etc. However, we are a complete leather vintage lifestyle brand. This year we have diversified into footwear and jackets. Soon we are going to introduce a range of full leather trolleys, some of which will be imported from Italy.
What is your target audience and where are they mainly concentrated?
Kompanero is not for everyone and has a very niche target audience. Our target audience would be people who love to travel a lot, and are exposed and love bold international fashion trends. Generally they are company founders, board members, doctors, designers and creatives etc of any age group. Kompanero is for change makers, the square pegs in round holes, strong personalities who are not trying to fit in and pride themselves in being different just like Kompanero products.
In what new regions of the Indian market can we expect the brand’s presence?
We are launching many new stores in various Tier 1 cities in India including Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi. We also are increasing our presence in all major airports of India.
How much growth do you expect in the segment during the next five years and where do you see Kompanero in it?
With the world moving away from synthetic materials and fast fashion, we see any segment associated with sustainable and natural materials to grow further. Already Kompanero’s use of synthetic materials is almost negligible from our raw materials to our packaging and even store fixtures all are made of natural materials.
We see Kompanero at the forefront of natural fashion movement.
Plus our products are meant to be used over a long time and they only get better with age. It is not a fast fashion product that is disposed away in 2 or 3 months. It is already established that fast fashion is disastrous for the environment and hence, we want to be known as low fashion brand, whose products you can use over a long period of time.
