FOR Ateneo de Manila University management graduate Vikha Louise Vargas, learning is a lifetime thing.
When she opened Loukha Clothing, Vargas made the bold step as she didn’t have any background on designing a clothing line. But there was no turning back for the 2015 graduate: Vargas bucked the odds to push her clothing brand for women belonging to the members of the millennial and Gen Z generations.
Aside from pursuing her calling in creating her own brand, Vargas also wants to make a difference to others and empower female buyers by developing their confidence through clothes they bought from Loukha.
Here are Vargas’s replies to the BusinessMirror’s questions on her enterprise.
BusinessMirror (BM): What motivated you to put up Loukha? How did you develop the name of your business?
Vikha Louise Vargas (VLV): It was in 2017 when I decided to pursue this venture. I’ve always been into fashion. It’s really something I’m very passionate about.
I also knew I wanted to put up a business because I wanted to have another source of income; but I did not think I could set up a clothing line. I knew nothing about the garment business since I didn’t go to a fashion school. But I did graduate with a degree in management and worked as a marketing professional. I used this credential to help me set up the project I was passionate about.
My original plan was just to buy and sell clothes but I felt like I wasn’t going to give much value since other sellers were also selling the same items. I then decided to have mine exclusively made or, if ever I buy and sell, I make sure they’re not widely available.
Mostly, I was struggling with sourcing: finding the most cost-effective fabric suppliers and skilled sewers. I did my research and went to different places to scout for these. It was painstaking but, luckily, I was able to find good ones. It’s a continuous pursuit.
When I was finally able to gather all information and suppliers, I registered the business with the Department of Trade and Industry and finally launched the brand and first product line in November 2017. The name was actually a play on my name, Vikha and Louise.
BM: Please explain the business model of Loukha Clothing.
VLV: For the garments, all materials—fabric, buttons, zippers and accessories—are sourced locally. Production is outsourced with our skilled sewers who work in the comfort of their own homes. I pay them on a per-piece basis, as opposed to most garment factories who pay their sewers on a per-operation basis.
Lead time depends on the number of designs we plan to release. It usually takes three weeks to six weeks for the clothes to be ready for selling. For the accessories, I source them both locally and overseas.
I only took orders online via Instagram or Facebook when I was starting. I posted my items on my page and people message me for their orders. Now, we’re available at Frankie & Friends General Store at SM Aura and online with StyleGenie PH. We’re working on a few more consignments, and hopefully a website within the year.
BM: How would you assess the business so far?
VLV: Loukha is still very young. I still have a lot of things in mind that I want to happen for the brand. We still have so much work to do. Right now, we’re focusing on expanding our customer base and increasing brand awareness through online platforms and brick-and-mortar stores.
BM: What fuels your passion as an entrepreneur?
VLV: I’ve always believed in creating opportunities, not just grabbing them. As an entrepreneur, it excites me when I am able to work with other people and be an instrument, as well, of their success. Customer satisfaction is also a motivation for me, of course. We are happy when the customers are delighted with their purchases.
BM: How do you develop the creativity in the designs of the clothing line? Do you have a group of designers under your wings who provide the designs?
VLV: No, I don’t have designers who work under me. I also get to decide on the design. I get inspiration for the designs everywhere—from people I meet, the places I visit, through social media, etc. I also personally handpick and curate ready-made pieces, which I think would fit the brand and would appeal to my market.
BM: Who are your target markets?
VLV: The brand caters mainly to savvy chic millennials and Gen-Z’s; most likely the yuppies who love to dress up, be it for work or any special occasion. We make clothes and curate our items for the ladies who want to look stylish without breaking the bank.
BM: Are there plans to expand the product line in the future?
VLV: Absolutely! Actually, not just our product line but the brand itself. My dream for Loukha is to be a lifestyle brand that won’t only cater to fashion but also other categories like home and beauty; but that’s for another time. The focus now is to grow the clothing line first, then, hopefully, eventually diversify when we’re ready.
BM: Did your management degree come in handy in running the business?
VLV: Yes, it definitely did. But I think more than that, it was really my work experience that helped me fuel my business. What you learn outside school is really different. You don’t really learn everything in school.
In the real world, sometimes you even have to learn things on your own. Working for a local tech start-up taught me how to multi-task, deal with different kinds of people and situations, and ultimately go out of my comfort zone.
Our team was skeletal, but I am fortunate enough to have been mentored by good bosses and surrounded by a great team.
BM: What is the brand and marketing position of Loukha?
VLV: We focus on slow and sustainable fashion. Most of the fabrics used to produce the garments are either deadstock or remnants. These are excess fabrics that come from textile factories or fashion houses that are either just stored or thrown as waste.
We just make sure to carefully select fabrics that are both of good quality and aesthetic. We want our customers to feel good in what they’re wearing.
We also take pride in locally sourcing for and making our clothes. We partner with skilled sewers who make our clothes with great attention to detail, making sure that each piece is sewn beautifully.
If we were to describe the girl who wears Loukha, she’s definitely someone who is confident in her own skin and unafraid to make a statement. It is she who is bold and she who makes things happen.