Ethnava

Ethnava Chikan is a premium Lucknowi Chikankari brand rooted in over 20+ years of legacy through Balaji Handicrafts Pvt. Ltd., one of the largest Chikankari manufacturers in Lucknow. The brand blends heritage craftsmanship with modern retail aesthetics, aiming to position Chikankari as a luxury, aspirational product in India and globally.

Founders & Vision:

Founded by Suryansh Agarwal and guided by Mr. Sanjeev Agarwal, President of the Lucknowi Chikankari Association, Ethnava focuses on preserving the craft while empowering 10,000+ artisans, primarily women.

• Vision: Become the world’s leading Chikankari brand
• Mission: Deliver authentic handcrafted Chikankari while creating a sustainable artisan ecosystem.

Products & USPs:

• Handcrafted, GI-certified Lucknowi Chikankari
• End-to-end in-house manufacturing (no outsourcing)
• Premium retail experience
• Wide price range: 1,500 to 25,000+
• Strong storytelling and cultural branding
• High-margin, royalty-free franchise model

Collections & Retail Presence:

Ethnava offers stitched and unstitched ethnic wear across multiple premium collections. The brand operates a flagship showroom at DLF MyPad, Lucknow, showcasing luxury store design and curated assortments.

Market Opportunity:

• Indian apparel industry is the 2nd largest retail segment
• Expected to grow to USD 450 billion by 2032
• Organized retail share projected to reach 45% by FY 2025
• Strong growth driven by women workforce participation, Tier 2/3 city expansion, and e-commerce

Franchise Model (FOFO – Franchise Owned, Franchise Operated):

• No royalty model
• Agreement tenure: 5 years
• High gross margins: 40–45%
• Faster breakeven and attractive IRR

Ideal Franchise Partner:

• Women entrepreneurs
• Retail/ apparel experience preferred
• Strong local market network
• Full-time business involvement

Expansion & Rollout Plan:

Target cities include Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Indore, and Guwahati, focusing on malls, high streets, and premium commercial markets.