Mumbai – The Bollywood superstar, Ranbir Kapoor, has just added the fashion entrepreneur to his list of references, with the launch of his brand of lifestyle Arks and his first retail of retail in the area in the suburbs From Mumbai to Bandra.
The award -winning actor, one of the most illustrious film dynasties in India, has several critical and commercial successes to his credit, including recent successes like Fantasy Film Brahmastre: first part – Shiva (2022) and the drama of action Animal (2023). Its 18 years in the industry saw Kapoor reaching the status of superstar in India, and Arks marks its beginnings as a brand owner, which makes it a significant – and impatient – for its fans.
Kapoor has teamed up with the entrepreneur and marketing Abhinav Verma to create a premium lifestyle label focused on discreet but elegant construction blocks for the wardrobe that take Kapoor’s easy-to-live dress.
While the idea had been preparing for a long time in the head of the actor, the co-founder Verma, who is CEO of the new brand, confirms that he has taken a concrete form in the past two years. “It started with the idea of making a very good sneaker,” he said, who was in accordance with Kapoor’s general reputation as a sneakerhead.
“Although this is the first category on which we worked, we also felt the need to expand our horizons, who set the ground for our other categories,” adds Verma who has more than a decade of experience in The launch of brands led by creators and celebrities and previously, worked on digital media for companies like Vodafone Idea, L’Oréal India and Airtel.
The launch range of Arks includes everyday essential elements for men and women such as t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, biker jackets, joggers, pants freight and unisex accessories as well as low and medium sneakers, designed and made in India. Beyond clothing and shoes, categories such as perfumes and technological accessories are explored, and there are collaborations in development.
In a press release, Kapoor underlined his vision of Arks as an effort to create a “refined lifestyle” imbued with quality, individuality and quiet confidence. “I wanted Arks to reflect my personality – versatile, subtle and impactful. We believe in the creation of products which are not noisy but which always make a declaration, ”said the actor.
Arks’s offer is deliberately designed to be both affordable and ambitious, prices starting at 1,499 rupees and reaching 34,999 rupees ($ 17 at $ 403), explains Verma, which revealed its motivations for the brand but refused to share the details of its funding.
“The Indian middle class increases, which means that there is a greater demand for premium products, as well as the migration between the categories. It was like the right time to build this brand, ”explains Verma.
The duo seeks to exploit more than one segment on the consumer market in rapid growth in India. The country Intermediate market fashion segment is ready for an increase of approximately 12 to 17% this year, according to the latest report in Bof-McKinsey fashion fashion.
The Indian Sneakers market should also experience two -digit growth in the coming years, according to Boston Consulting Group India, and the local sportswear market, which was evaluated at $ 9.4 billion in 2024, should inflate 12.4 billion dollars by 2027, according to Euromonitor International. THE high -end male clothing,, women’s clothing And Emerging streetwear The markets are also floating.
The brand will adopt an omnichannel approach – with products available in the 1,000 square feet Mumbai store and an online store that delivers at the national level. International electronic commerce and stores in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru are also on the duo radar, adds Verma, although there is not yet a firm calendar for these deployments.
“The experience is phygital, but we really want people to touch and feel the product. The idea is to bring our community together in our store, which was created as a studio, ”explains Verma.
With the launch of Arks, Kapoor joins an increasing league of Indian male celebrities which have been inflicted in fashion with their own brands, like Salman Khan’s Being Human Clothing, HRX of Hrithik Roshan, Skult and Aryan Khan by Aryan Khan X.
But it is not only Kapoor’s practical participation through design, product development and marketing that could help distinguish Arks. There is also great curiosity about the reclusive actor, who avoided any personal presence on social networks and his lifestyle.
The brand’s premium wardrobe staples will therefore provide fans with a feeling of access to the star. The brand’s Instagram page amassed a suite of 130 km even before its launch, and a teaser with Kapoor in September 2024, recorded more than 6 million views.
Kapoor’s wife and her compatriot superstar from Bollywood Alia Bhattof which the following 86 million Instagram helped him ensure a Gucci Embassadorship, has already monetized its fame by launching a brand of children’s and maternity clothing Ed-A-Mamma. In 2023, Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL) reliance acquired a 51%stake.
Verma is put on the Arks brand “long -term propelled” in the long term “by a combination of forces. “Although we are motivated by the passion and the vision of Ranbir, we do not seek to be considered as a brand led by celebrities,” explains Verma. “We see this as an excellent opportunity to build culture, the community and a strong product” made in India “but of global stature.”