Tailoring the Future: Dachier's Tech-Driven Revolution in the Boutique Industry

In the vibrant tapestry of Indian neighborhoods, tailor boutiques have long been a familiar sight, catering to a diverse range of tailoring and stitching needs—be it altering garments to fit perfectly or crafting custom apparel. 

However, the majority of these tailoring and boutique services operate in an unorganized manner, heavily reliant on manual processes. 

As the world of retail fashion embraces the digital age with the advent of ecommerce and Instagram shopping, a parallel trend is emerging: the increasing demand for custom-made clothing. 

Fueled by the desire to stand out and spurred by designer collaborations and social media influencers, custom apparel is garnering attention. Nevertheless, not everyone can afford the luxury of personalized fashion.

This disparity caught the attention of four individuals: Soumya Mohanty, Krishna Mohan Chebrolu, Birendra Sahoo, and Neha Nagendra. 

Recognizing the untapped potential of the tailoring and boutique industry, they founded Dachier in 2021. 

Their goal was to introduce technology and digital solutions to this sector, making custom apparel accessible and affordable while providing a platform for skilled tailors to connect with the right audience.

A Gap in the Tapestry

The inspiration for Dachier struck during a weekend brainstorming session, a common genesis for many startups. 

As the team discussed the transformative impact of digital platforms across diverse industries, the idea for a digital solution in the customised apparel sector emerged. 

The founders realized that the tailoring and boutique industry remained anchored in manual processes, resulting in suboptimal customer experiences.

CEO and CTO Soumya Mohanty elaborates, “In the current scenario, the entire stitching service is still managed through manual processes, and the overall ecosystem is completely unorganised. This leads to poor customer service.

” Driven by this realization, Dachier was conceived as a digital marketplace for tailors, boutiques, and fashion designers—a platform to offer a variety of services ranging from personalized styling and alterations to tailor-at-home services and measurements.

A Tech-Infused Transformation

Dachier's transformational journey centers around its B2B2C model and its flagship software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform—aptly named 'STITCHAT'. 

 This platform empowers vendors and consumers alike, offering a comprehensive suite of features including order management, broadcasting, inventory management, employee management, and more. 'STITCHAT' serves as the connective thread binding all stakeholders, such as dressmakers, manufacturing units, fabric suppliers, fashion accessory units, and institutions, into a unified ecosystem.

CEO Soumya Mohanty explains, “All stakeholders are connected through this platform, which will serve as a one-stop shop for them to easily sell their services within this ecosystem. With the help of smart digital tools, we hope to disrupt the market for custom clothing and improve the ecosystem.” The platform even extends its services to encompass waste management, social media management, and fashion designers as a service (FDaaS), offering insights into the latest fashion trends and fabrics. The roadmap also includes upcoming services like Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, further enhancing the digital offerings.

**Crafting a Seamless Experience**

Dachier's focus is clear: to enhance customer service for boutiques and tailors through the digital realm. By shouldering the burden of mundane business operations, the platform empowers these artisans to deliver exceptional experiences and foster business growth. The platform currently boasts over 500 onboarded merchants, spanning from small alteration shops to well-established boutiques. The ambitious goal is to onboard 10,000 merchants by the close of 2024, illustrating the startup's determination to weave a wider digital tapestry.

Unraveling the Business Model

Although Dachier's services are presently offered free of charge, the startup is poised to transition to a freemium model in the upcoming quarter. 

The revenue streams will encompass subscriptions, listing fees (both general and premium), and B2B sales commissions—ranging from 10% to 30% based on demand. 

The core of this revenue generation revolves around the STITCHAT app, a vital tool catering to a diverse range of stakeholders within the fashion industry.

With over 700 downloads and a sterling 5-star rating on the Google Play Store, the STITCHAT app is set to expand its reach further with an iOS counterpart slated for launch in the second quarter of the year. While basic services will remain free, premium services will carry a charge.

Stitching Together a Vision for Tomorrow

Dachier's journey is guided by an ambitious vision for the future. The startup plans to onboard over 25,000 partners within the next three years, simultaneously expanding its user base by 2.5 million by forging partnerships with apparel brands and manufacturing units. 

As Dachier's reach extends from Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar to Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad by year-end, its competition with players like Cloud Tailor, Fashinza, Just Dial, Sulekha, OLX, and Binks becomes increasingly dynamic.

Dachier's differentiating factor lies in its comprehensive approach, offering an array of services tailored to cater to merchants' and customers' unique needs. 

As it evolves into an indispensable hub for tailoring and boutique services, Dachier promises to unravel a new era of customised fashion, revolutionizing the way stakeholders operate, connect, and thrive within this dynamic industry.

In the ever-changing landscape of fashion, Dachier is poised to be the thread that binds tradition and technology, stitching together a more organized, accessible, and vibrant future for India's tailoring and boutique sector.