Crossing boundaries with Gootipa’s leather goods
Finding the perfect leather bag requires time and money, both of which you can save if you look at the range of products offered by the Bangladeshi brand Gootipa
The leather sector in our country is gradually improving and many companies are now exporting bags, shoes and more. Branded leather goods have more appeal because they tend to last longer.
Gootipa, an online shop by Leatherina Pvt Ltd, has introduced leather bags made in our country for consumers who fancy stylish and sturdy leather bags for every occasion.
Gootipa products are made with leather sourced from Bangladesh along with local handmade fabric and jute.
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The dedication it takes
The brand began its journey in 2016 and within three years, it has established a pool of dedicated fans who love the bags by Gootipa and promote them.
"Gootipa was never just a business. I tried to build an enterprise in my country. Considering the broader picture of our leather industry, I wanted to contribute to our economy and at the same time, reach out to the global market," said the founder, designer, and managing director of Gootipa, Taslima Miji.
The brand has been producing different kinds of stylish bags such as wristlet clutches, two-toned totes, travel purses and statement pieces for women. There is also a small range of wallets, shoulder bags and travel bags for men.
"I wanted to make bags of a global standard and I hope I have been able to do so," said the entrepreneur Taslima.
What goodies can you expect?
Gootipa's bags are carefully crafted items, the designs of which Taslima and the pattern master both come up with. Alongside their own ideas, they also take inspiration from European designs.
Keeping the customers' preference in mind, Gootipa bags come in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. The wallets, envelope purses and coin purses are devised in a way so that the everyday essentials such as phone, perfume, papers etcetera can fit inside them perfectly.
Prices of the regular bags vary between Tk400 and Tk 4,000, whereas the wallets can cost up to Tk1,200.
A fair business policy
Besides ensuring quality, Taslima Miji's business initiatives Gootipa and Leatherina also try to maintain an environment-friendly work place.
In her words, "I take pride in saying that from the beginning, I have tried to maintain a green working environment."
The brand maintains transparency about their production procedure. Consumers are always welcome to visit the factory cum outlet at 55/2, Al Madina Tannery Building in Hazaribagh, Dhaka. They promptly reply to consumers' queries on a product on their Facebook page.
When it comes to upholding the workers' right, Gootipa follows the Fair Trade Policy by ensuring a fair wage and a safe working environment for its workers. Along with that, Taslima Miji believes in creating a skilled workforce through trainings. The owner also staunchly promotes recruiting more female employees.
A believer of locally made products, Taslima Miji observes, "We still have a long way to go and show the world how products made in Bangladesh can compete in the global market."
Taslima wishes to improve and broaden Gootipa's product range and expand the business in future. Moreover, she also has plans to work with more handloom materials to revive the use of traditional fabrics.
