Seematti – An Exclusive Interview with Beena Kannan

1.Why go to shop for sarees at Seematti?

Ans: It is extremely easy to answer this question. All you have to do is to check out every saree store you know and then, step into Seematti. You’ll know the difference.

2. How is a Saree different from other wedding attires?

Ans: The most obvious difference is that saree is unstitched cloth and the other bridals are tailored and finished. The other reason is a two-dimensional one. One of culture-specificity and the other of contemporary fashion trends. By culture-specific, I mean tradition demands us to go in for a wedding saree. However, in the 21st century, the shopping ethos have changed. Now, depending on the family’s attitude, you can either go for a non-saree wedding outfit such as a gown or lehenga.
However, nothing is carved in stone. The options before today’s customer are wide. It’s up to each one to decide.

3. How is Seematti different from other textile showrooms?

Ans: First of all, Seematti has all the strengths of a textile house which has a tradition of 105 years in business. Only Seematti has a woman CEO who intuitively understands wedding saree customer aspirations better.

4. Why does Seematti refrain from going online for sales?

Ans: At present, Seematti has no plans to sell its sarees online. Women would want to physically browse, touch and feel before purchasing a saree. The store experience at Seematti is several notches above the online experience. Maybe, for some clothes and garments, e-commerce route could be tried out.

5. Why should people go to Seematti for wedding shopping?

Ans: Obviously, here marriage is more of a familial and social event. Huge entourage consists of family members, the bride and the groom would be present during wedding shopping.  Every saree is analysed threadbare by all before zeroing in on the trousseau.
Seematti has an edge over other players. The insights of the lady at the helm, Beena Kannan brings to store 35 years of track in wedding saree sales. The infrastructure and ambience at Seematti are relatively better equipped to give the customers the comfort, the largest collection of wedding sarees, gowns, etc.
Also, every year Beena Kannan launches three premium saree lines, most of which are Kancheepuram-based. These sarees are mostly trend setters. And Seematti’s integrity and authenticity dates back to 1910. With her 35 years of invaluable experience and worldwide travel, liaison with wholesalers and weavers, Beena Kannan chooses what is needed by Kerala’s clientele. With a deep knowledge of Indian sarees, Beena Kannan sets the tone of difference among her competitors.

6. How does styling assistants and shopping assistants help customers in wedding saree shopping?

Ans: On a personal level, I feel these are important while choosing a wedding saree. Both help the customer to reasonably visualise how she will look on her wedding day. They reduce the chances of selecting a not-so-suitable saree.

7. How does Beena Kannan help customers to get the most of their shopping?

Ans: Beena Kannan has, over the years, set up store and people practices that ensure customers getting the most on their outings at Seematti. Extremely well-trained lady staff and experienced male staff make sure one gets the best. On the supply side, Beena Kannan has seen to it that a very large range of bridal accessories is on display at any given point at any time. Also, today’s customer is intelligent, demands the value for money. She will buy only if she feels convinced. Hence, Beena Kannan’s physical presence might not be essential while one purchases from Seematti.

8. Ten tips from Beena Kannan to help one select her wedding saree.

• The most important factor is the budget. If it is 25000/- 100000/-, there are possibilities in wedding sarees, vis-a-vis colour, texture, light/heavy, smoothness, etc. If it is 10,000/- to 20.000/- and so on, a new set of possibilities for selection emerge.
• In early days, wedding sarees were meant for just that day. But during the last 10-15 years, brides-to-be choose sarees that can be used after the D-day as well.
• Don’t stick to conventional wedding saree colours such as magenta and red. Try unconventional colours and tertiary colours.
• Since the ceremonial occasions are spread over days, select sarees which are cool, smooth and easy to carry.
• Nothing can beat a Kanchipuram or a Banaras Saree when it comes to Wedding silks. Here also, there is no stiff rule, nowadays.
• Before coming to the shop, have a fairly good concept of the saree which will look good on you. This will help in deciding faster and better.
• Make sure your wedding saree is compatible with all accessories you will wear.
• Try for an elegant look. Do not be that loud or flashy. Let your wedding saree make statements about your personality.
• The final decision to purchase the wedding saree is yours. So, stick to your choice, if possible.

9. Do features like complexion and the height matter while selecting a wedding saree?

Ans: Yes, they do. And there are sarees to suit every bride, be her tall, medium or less tall, fat, slim or medium.
These come from our sense of aesthetics. Dark colours make one look slimmer and light colours make one look fatter.
Also, vertical bands can enhance the height of the wearer in visual perception. Horizontal stripes tend to make one look less tall. For every complexion, there is a range of suitable wedding sarees. By a smart selection mode, one can buy the saree one likes and suits.