DELHI
The capital’s newest fashion haunt comes courtesy of local designer Shaan Thadhani. Occupying a modern space in the historic Hauz Khas Village in South Delhi, White (31 Hauz Khas Village; 91-11/4605-4817) boutique showcases edgy, ready-to-wear garments by talented local designers like Preeti Chandra, Namrata Joshipura, and Rahul Reddy.
Opened by Indian-born Scot Christine Rai, Zaza Home (25-26 Community Centre, Zamrudpur; 91-11/2923-5076) is an airy three-story store dedicated to new and vintage homewares. The beautiful furniture, rugs, and fashion accessories all take inspiration from traditional Indian handicrafts, albeit with a modern edge.
MUMBAI
In South Mumbai, the Colaba district has long been regarded as one of the city’s better shopping precincts. Head to Arthur Bunder Road, where a handful of pioneering lifestyle boutiques and galleries have set up shop in historic colonial buildings. Among them, the Bungalow 8 (Grants Building, 17 Arthur Bunder Rd.; 91-22/2281-9880; bungaloweight.com) store carries an eclectic range of modern and vintage homewares and accessories, which owner Maithili Ahluwalia handpicks on her travels around India and Southeast Asia. Opening in September is the Bungalow 8 “fashion floor,” featuring clothes from across the subcontinent alongside pieces by Parisian designer, Mathieu Leguillon, called upon to create the house label, The Bungalow.
Just up the street, talented brother-sister design duo Vikram and Divya Goyal manage lifestyle store, Viya Home (01/31 Kamal Mansion; 91-22/6610-2009; viyahome.com). Working with local artisans, the Goyal’s source vintage Indian objets—including old tiles and carvings from crumbling haveli mansions—which they then transform into modern homewares. The collection covers everything from one-of-a-kind furniture pieces to South Indian terra-cotta toys and oil lamps. In the same heritage building is one of the most exciting contemporary galleries in Mumbai, Chatterjee and Lal (91-22/2202-3787; chatterjeeandlal.com), showcasing video, installation, and performance art by up-and-coming talent from around the world.
CHENNAI
Once a traditional Iyengar yoga house, Madras Terrace House (15 Sripuram, Second St., Royapettah; 91-44/4503-8391; themadrasterracehouse.com) has been transformed into a sprawling space for artistic expression by actor and designer, Kaveri Lalchand. There’s a gallery, meeting rooms, a small teahouse, and a funky store stocking a diverse range of clothes alongside eco-friendly products like organic-cotton bed linen.
One of India’s largest fashion houses, Kimaya Avenue (New Number 9, Wallace Garden, Second St., Nungambakkam; 91-44/3027-2722) debuted in Mumbai seven years ago, and now has some 10 outlets across the country. The newest boutique in Chennai carries designs from more than 140 Indian fashionistas, including Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal, Abraham & Thakore, and Narender Kumar.
Owned by Vikram Phadke of Pod hotel fame, Evoluzione (3 Khader Nawaz Khan Rd., Nungambakkam; 91-44/2833-3627) has been a major player in Chennai’s fashion scene for close to a decade. Recently relocated to a stunning 650-square-meter warehouse, the boutique is now as beautiful as the clothes it sells.
Set over three floors, the store blends art installations with creations from some of India’s top fashion designers: Manish Malhotra and Rajesh Pratap are among the names to look out for.
BANGALORE
Mother Earth (541-543 Amarjyothi HSBC Layout, Koramangala, Domlur; 91-80/6539-7957; motherearth.co.in) is India’s first “green” superstore: 1,000 square meters devoted to eco-friendly products. Spread over three floors, it’s a great place to pick up handicrafts sourced from villages across the subcontinent. End your shopping spree with a cup of chai in the small organic café on the ground floor.
Set in a charming century-old building, the recently opened flagship boutique from acclaimed textile designer Julie Kagti (Hatworks Boulevard, 32 Cunningham Rd.; 91-80/2234-2632) is dedicated to Kagti’s fashion label, Sutra, Knots on Cloth. The collection features a range of western and Indian styles, including some beautiful saris, all hand-sewn using traditional kantha embroidery.
