Snapshot

• Why Kolkata is iconic: Kolkata is a heritage garmenting hub known for small-batch, design-led apparel manufacturing, offering woven and knit garments with a strong focus on craftsmanship and detailing.
  
• Cluster identity: The Topsia–Tangra belt hosts hundreds of MSME apparel factories, supplying global boutique brands, private labels, and domestic premium retailers.
  
• Positioning: Unlike high-volume hubs like Bengaluru or Noida, Kolkata focuses on high-fashion, artisanal garments, making it a preferred partner for smaller MOQs, high-quality finishes, and handwork integration.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Woven Apparel	Shirts, trousers, dresses, skirts, jackets, outerwear.
Knitwear	T-shirts, polos, lightweight tops, sweatshirts.
High-Fashion Apparel	Embellished dresses, ethnic fusion wear, resort wear.
Children’s & Infant Wear	GOTS-certified kidswear, organic cotton clothing.
Corporate & Boutique Orders	Small-batch production for designer and premium brands.
Private-Label Garments	Trend-led collections for D2C brands and e-commerce.

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
Small-Batch Flexibility	Factories cater to low MOQ, high-value orders.
Design Heritage	Kolkata’s artisanal culture influences garment design (kantha embroidery, block prints, hand-dyeing).
Strong MSME Ecosystem	Over 1,000 apparel units in Topsia, Tangra, and surrounding areas.
Export Capability	Key sourcing partner for European boutique brands and specialty retailers.
Ethical Workforce	Known for ethical production practices and GOTS/SA8000-certified units.

Materials & Sustainability

• Fabrics: Cotton, viscose, silk blends, organic cotton, linen, Tencel, modal.
  
• Eco Initiatives:
  
  • Growing adoption of organic cotton and sustainable blends.
    
  • OEKO-TEX® and GOTS-certified dyeing and printing units.
    
  • Focus on fair-trade practices through cooperatives.
    
• Social Impact: Employs over 200,000 workers, with a strong base of skilled artisans integrating embroidery and craft techniques.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Geographical Hub: Topsia, Tangra, and nearby industrial pockets in Kolkata.
  
• Institutions:
  
  • Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC): Support for export facilitation and compliance training.
    
  • NIFT Kolkata: Fashion innovation and technical training.
    
  • Handloom & Handicraft Synergy: Cluster benefits from Kolkata’s proximity to Bengal’s craft belts (Shantiniketan leather, Murshidabad silk).
    
• Export Connectivity:
  
  • Proximity to Kolkata Port and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.
    
  • Well connected to Northeast and Bangladesh garment supply chains.
    

Compliance & Certifications

• Certifications: GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, SA8000, Sedex, Fairtrade.
  
• Ethical Standards: MSMEs widely audited by boutique buyers for ethical labor and sustainable sourcing.
  
• Government Initiatives: Apparel & Made-ups Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC) programs active in Kolkata for upskilling.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Boutique Fashion Apparel	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	100–300 pcs/style
Knitwear	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	300–500 pcs/style
Shirts & Woven Apparel	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	300–500 pcs/style
Designer & Hand-Embellished Wear	2–3 weeks	6–8 weeks	Made-to-order

Branding & Packaging

• Branding:
  
  • Private-label branding for D2C and boutique brands.
    
  • QR-coded product tags highlighting craftsmanship.
    
• Packaging:
  
  • Eco-friendly garment covers, compostable polybags, and kraft export cartons.
    
• Marketing Narrative: Branded as “Kolkata: India’s Boutique Apparel & Sustainable Fashion Hub.”
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Fabric QC: Fiber composition verification, shrinkage tests.
  
• Garment QC: Fit, stitch density, seam strength, and finishing.
  
• Craft QC: Hand-embroidery and artisanal detailing quality checks.
  
• Export QC: ISTA-standard packaging audits for air and sea shipping.
  

Price Drivers

• Garment detailing (embroidery, hand-finishing).
  
• Fabric choice (organic, silk blends, premium imports).
  
• Production scale (small-batch boutique vs mass-market).
  
• Certifications (Fairtrade, GOTS, OEKO-TEX®).
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Boutique Advantage: Ideal for small, premium, and high-fashion orders.
  
• Craft Integration: Combines Bengal’s artisanal heritage (kantha, block print, batik) with modern apparel.
  
• Sustainability Leadership: Growing network of eco-certified, ethical production units.
  

Strategic Location: Kolkata offers access to Northeast India and Bangladesh for raw materials and labor.