Indian Designers On The Move
With a spate of new fashion boutique launches in the last 6 months, including Tarun Tahliani's new flagship in Delhi, Indian luxury designers are diving deeper into the business and science of retail this year with different and defined approaches for couture and pret.
After a recent brand revamp, Ashima Leena have set up their flagship store at the DLF Emporio Mall in New Delhi. The designers have decided to focus on bridal couture -- to promote an identity independent of their prêt line -- and the heavily embroidered offerings available at their new opulent studio add to the variety of options for brides-to-be. Customers can set up consultations with the designers themselves on prior appointment.
Ashima Leena, 325, level 2, DLF Emporio Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
Kolkata already has two homegrown design powerhouses in the form of Sabyasachi and Anamika Khanna, and now, it welcomes Raghavendra Rathore to the fold. The new menswear store is part of the designer’s expansion plans, and offers clients easy access to his bespoke bandhgalas and Jodhpurs.
"When I first started consultations in New Delhi almost 15 years ago, many of my clients were from Kolkata. That's why it made sense to start our expansion here," Rathore says. "We will also introduce a red carpet line of womenswear in the store within two weeks, since many of our clients are women who shop for their husbands."
Next up for Rathore is stores in Mumbai and the Punjab region, which he hopes to open within the year.
Raghavendra Rathore, 4/I, Ground floor, Camac Street, Kolkata.
Punjab has always been one of the biggest markets for luxury designer wear in India and traditionally underserviced, a fact that the Chennai-based fashion store, Evolv, has recognised. The multi-designer boutique has now set up shop in Ludhiana, where they will offer affordable collaborations from brands like CUE by Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, Abraham & Thakore, Gaurav Gupta and more. With interiors designed by Play Clan, the whole store has a modern Indian vibe, punctuated by the introduction of Outhouse jewellery, a label that's been gaining popularity for its statement necklaces.
Evolv, second floor, The Silver Arc Mall, Ferozpur Road, Ludhiana.
-Rochelle Pinto
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