ArmInfo. For already half of a year the ByLili brand of exclusive leather goods (woman shoes, bags and other clothing accessories) created by Russian designer Lili Shaumyan has been positioning itself on the international market as an Armenian manufacturer, although it has been working on the Russian, French and Hong-Kong markets so far. The creative director and designer Lili Shaumyan has told ArmInfo that she has taken this decision because she wants to contribute to the development and international promotion of Armenian fashion industry.
At the International Forum of Light Industry in Yerevan, the ByLili brand author said that for already two decades the brand is in demand on the European, Russian and Asian markets. According to her, the designer's next step is to move the leather dressing laboratory to Armenia. The raw materials are imported from Argentina and Australia. "We want to set up the core manufacture here so in order to export the goods to foreign markets from Armenia only," she emphasized.
Throughout the company's activities in Armenia, ByLili brand has already released 2 collections for Armenian customers, she noted. "At this stage, we are selling our products at prices close to the prime cost. This is the company's policy aimed at strengthening our positions on the local market," Shaumyan stressed.
It should be noted that the International Forum of Light Industry has brought together 25 manufacturers from Armenia, Russia, Georgia, France, Germany and Bulgaria. The forum organizers are Signum consulting company, Atex fashion centre, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ural. The forum includes 4 sessions: a discussion of the field's problems with specialists, an exhibition, master classes and a fashion show.
According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, in January-August 2016, export of leather and fur goods grew 2.4-fold to 5.8 million USD, textile - by 59% to $63.8 million, shoes, hats, umbrellas, canes - by 46.7% to 1.3 million USD.