From Airport Look to House Party, Fashion for Every Micro-Occasion: Why we invested in Outzidr
Gen Z fashion is undergoing a shift from seasonal wardrobes to occasion based dressing.
A typical day will have 5-6 different occasions, and a distinct look for every event: a brunch date, a college fest, a concert, a house party, or even the airport. Gen Z’s are constantly tuned into Instagram, watching reels not just of Indian influencers, but of what’s trending globally. What’s new in New York or Paris is trending in India in real time - and this consumer isn’t just aware of these looks, they’re actively searching for them. And they want them now.
Take 19-year-old Ananya from Delhi, for instance. She browses Pinterest and Instagram daily, looking for outfit ideas for a Coldplay concert she’s going for. Or Sana from Mumbai, who tells us she doesn’t believe in “repeating a vibe” when it comes to house parties vs. club nights. For them, fashion is no longer dressing for the season - it’s about dressing for the moment.
outzidr is building for this customer.
Outzidr aspires to become the preferred brand for all “going-out” fashion needs of Gen Zs - those aged 16-25, in senior school, college, or their first jobs - who are trend-conscious and always dressing to stand out in their social circles.
What makes Outzidr stand out is its speed - from trend to shelf. Incumbent fashion brands typically have a 6-8 month cycle from trend to shelf, while the most fashion forward brands (Eg. Zudio) have 3-4 month cycles. Outzidr’s unique ‘test & quick react’ model cuts that down drastically - identifying trends early, testing designs online with low MOQs, and scaling only what works. With a minimal cycle time, Outzidr is built to be the fastest - often the first - to bring global trends to shelf, giving exactly what its Instagram-first customer demands.
our investment thesis in Outzidr stands on three key pillars
- Large, fast growing and highly unorganized affordable fashion market
- The affordable fashion segment (Rs.600-700 median ASP) forms the bulk of the market, with some estimates pegging it at 75%
- Purchase frequency is high (around 1-2 times a month)
- Over 80% of the market remains unorganized
- Strong tailwinds for on-trend fashion from Instagram-first youth
- Unique ‘test & quick react’ model to power the on-trend value proposition
- Strong demand sensing for early identification of trends based on both data and deep consumer understanding
- Rapid online testing with low MOQs to identify bestseller designs
- Agile supply chain design (design, fabric, sample, garmenting) to ensure fastest turnaround
- Strong team of fashion and e-commerce veterans with proven track record of achievement
- Three most critical drivers for success in this business include - buying judgement, sourcing, and online acquisition; Nirmal's core strengths lie in the first, Justin’s in the second and Mani’s in the third
- Team has previously scaled Styli, a fast fashion brand in middle east, from scratch to 800 Cr in less than 5 years
We’re thrilled to back Outzidr as they bring the world’s latest trends to India’s Gen Zs - one micro-occasion at a time.
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