India is the land of wonders, diversity with over 5000 years of culture. It is united through diversity which no country in the world can boast of. Rich in culture, traditions, and heritage, it has many things of its own, but, not a doll.
Hyderabad’s Startup Shel Studio Design n Events LLP, a fashion studio hits up with an idea, to launch “Kiyaa”—India’s First Ever 100% Authentic Fashion Doll.
Many children worldwide proudly own Iranian 'Fulla'; Korean “Pullip", Chinese “Sara” or American "Barbie". We also have Indianised 'Barbie', but, the 120 crore Indians don’t have a doll which they can claim as their own remarks Hima Sailaja Theerdhala, Director of Shel Studio, a VLSI Design Engineer turned a Fashion Designer-cum-entrepreneur.
“It is a matter of great pride for every Indian to idolize their own doll that embodies Indian culture rather than western culture or Bollywood celebs” says Sailaja
‘Kiyaa’, means cooing of the bird in Sanskrit. The 100% authentic doll has realistic Indian face, features and contemporary teenager characteristics. It is a premium Doll with Indian heart & soul that engages to impart values, culture and history to children informs Sailaja.
An ISB (Indian School of Business) and “Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Entrepreneurs Program alumni, Sailaja hit up with an idea of the doll, while participating in Barbie Doll Dressing Contest in Dubai Airport in 2003. Since then she researched on the doll project. Based on the doll project she even got admission at ISB into “Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Entrepreneurs Certificate Program”. A B.E Electronic Engineer, she worked over a decade in India, UK and USA in many companies. And turned entrepreneur in 2012.
Kiyaa is positioned as a premium product. The target market segment will be Upper Middle Class and Upper Class; IT professionals; PIOs and NRIs. These will be formally launched into Rs 75000/-crore Indian toys market, which is expected to grow to Rs 13,000/- crore by 2015. The Toy industry in India is growing at annual rate of 20 per cent says Sailaja.
Initially the product will be available in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states. Next year an entire portfolio comprising new dolls, accessories will be launched while the range expands to southern cities. In 2016, Kiyaa will go national with own stores that stocks dolls., garments, fashion accessories and attached café.
For more details log to website : www.kiyaa.in or FB page: www.facebook.com/kiyaa.in
Photo caption: Kiyaa Doll
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