High fashion is her forte
 

by Irangika Range

Fashion, is her lifeblood. She intents on offering a mix of both high fashion and casuals to Sri Lankans through her creations. She is Niloufer Anverally, Managing Director of the Cotton Collection and Leather Collection.

Today, Niloufer has been able to reach the top in her career achieving many goals in her business. When she was working at the American Express Bank in 1990, she realised much potential in the ready-wear garment business.

"Although I came from a business family background, I wanted to start my own business creating a new dimension of fashionable clothing and comfortable basics in the fashion industry which I really enjoy and mostly like in my life," Niloufer said.

It was the emergence of the Cotton Collection at the Majestic City in 1991, which started in a small way to cater to the fashionable, high quality and diversified ready-wear garments business.

Having gained working experience on running the company, her dedication and well planning made her recognise latest personable trends and consumer behaviour in the modern market which helped her to climb up the ladder step by step to achieve her targets.

"She gives orders to manufacture ready wear garments under the company label "coco" to local factories which follow proper technology, quality standards and new trends to factories which manufacture only to the export market.

I manage the day work activities and keeps an eye to recognise the latest goings on in fashion, new colour designs and creating new styles for customers.

It is hard work and a challenge because we purchase export quality garments recognising our customers' requirements with market research and dedicating more energy, time and money to offer best and standard ready-wear garments to the market.

From the beginning she was able to meet the continuous demands for their ready-wear garments because she updates fashions according modern requirements by observing the changes in the world market and changing to fit the needs of the customers,' Niloufer said.

Whatever changes that occur internationally it is in her shops. According to the fashion requirements and changes in the four seasons, they introduce new fashions to customers. We change stock on a daily basis with upcoming fashions.

Having gained success with Cotton Collection, she wanted to expand her business.

With the high demand for the Cotton Collection in the Majestic City, she was able to set up her second shop at Flower Road in 1994.

Today both Cotton Collection and Leather Collection have become leading fashion houses in Sri Lanka which are famous for a variety of renowned labels. These are a must on the shopping calendar for everyone who visits the country, especially those who are fervent about fashion. The design fundamentals of both the shops are conducive for the seasoned shopper to look through and spend time looking for that perfect item.

'I always think I can do it and I will do it in the best possible way. Today she is involved in all her merchandising aspects.

'I found that there was a niche market for this field. Therefore I was able to bring creative, colourful and stylish fashions.

I am satisfied with what I am doing now and it has competitiveness than before, but it is not a big challenge with the creative talents, correct attitudes and commitment of my team offering the best for the customers.

She has been able to provide employment to over 100 and has teamed up with many international agencies to introduce popular and world famous brands to locals. Niloufer was a pupil of St. Bridget's Convent. She is also a bachelor of economics. Her husband Mohomad Anverally is a tea exporter and is very much proud of her work and very supportive in giving encouragement. She has two children and the eldest son is 6 and her daughter is 3 years.

'It is not easy to keep the balance in working as a businesswoman, wife and mother in this busy world.

But I was fortunate that I could manage my time in working at home and in the office,' Niloufer said.

Most of her free time she reads books, swims and plays tennis her favourite game. She has won many awards from national and international tennis competitions for her school.