Rang, country’s one of the top fashion houses, finally got split into two entities as two partners of the house parted their ways. Fashion designer Biplab Saha and his partner Soumik Das, two partners of the house, reached an agreement at the end of last year on winding up their partnership. Thus, after 21 years of its existence, Rang has been split into ‘Bishwo Rang’ and ‘Rang Bangladesh.’ Mr Saha is the sole owner of the former and Mr Das the latter. As per the agreement, the two entities under the new names will formally get going from August 1. The existing showrooms of the house have also been divided among them and the rebranding has already started. Currently they have more than 20 outlets and showrooms in Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Sylhet and Brahmanbaria. As part of the rebranding process, a new showroom of ‘Rang Bangladesh’ was formally inaugurated on Tuesday evening at a shopping complex on the Baily Road in the capital city. “We have decided to separate our business through mutual understanding,” said Soumik Das while talking to the FE in the new showroom of Rang Bangladesh. “There is nothing wrong. Both of us also agreed not to use the brand name Rang only.” “Yes, we have split our business through mutual understanding,” said Biplab Saha in reply to a question of the FE. “Now my brand, my entity is Bishwo Rang. I also re-designed my logo which is quite different from original Rang.” He, however, alleged that the logo of ‘Rang Bangladesh’ was not made significantly different from the original logo of Rang creating confusions. It was in 1994, when Rang starts its journey with only Tk 40,000 in paid-up capital in Narayanganj. Besides Mr Saha and Mr Das, two others were also there as founders. They were: Mr Mamun Al Kabir and Mr Zakirul Hyder. The four people set up Rang, when they were graduate students. Mr Kabir, however, quit his partnership within few years. Later, Mr Hyder also quit his ownership. Both of them are now living abroad. But, the growth of Rang continued as both Mr Saha and Mr Das expanded the business and brought it to the present level. Now, Rang is a Bangladeshi brand and reputed for use of indigenous colours and fabrics. It is continuously focusing on handloom and handicrafts in Bangladesh. Rang’s product basket includes: Sharee, Salwar-kameez, Punjabi, Fatua, Shirts, Polo shirts, Orna, Lungi, Bed covers, blouse pieces and gift items. Presently Rang has employed 350 directly. Thousands of others are also indirectly involved in the process of yarn dyeing, weaving and doing other intricate work on different clothes
