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High-end ethical brands are adversely meticulous to characterize. It could mean something that is distinctive to each one of us. It’s comprehended and treasured for its high worth, exclusivity and cultural symphony of uniqueness. High-quality materials and intricate craftsmanship are designed by skilled artisans and their ability to assemble the most exclusive pieces. Because of these coalitions, and the assumption that people will naturally buy fewer luxury items than mass-market items, luxury fashion in Indian tradition usually appears inherently premeditated. There are counted places in Mumbai one can say where curation of collections is beyond just selling products, these brands are not only selling an identity but carrying years of cultural values along with exclusive craftsmanship and mindfulness of clothing for the perceived affluent elites of the Indian fashion world. The desire of keeping the brand ethical and rich in the appearance of luxury can sometimes outweigh the factual quality but these “made in India” pieces have been synonymous with very high ethical standards. They are contemporary heritage ambassadors with concept stores which are similar to art galleries emphasising high-end luxury in total harmony and sustainable fashion.
Anita Dongre
Anita Dongre’s Flagship store is an oasis of tranquillity in Kalaghoda. Says Anita Dongre, “Bombay is my home, and the Sassoon building has witnessed every change of this city. In restoring this building we wanted to keep as
much of its original form as we could– stained glass windows, timber beams and staircase, the tiles… I wanted to bring back the luxury of the 19th century and have it meet the effortless grace of the 21st century. It’s been a particular joy to realise a vision that mixes Indian crafts with colonial architecture against art that celebrates nature’s bounty. I’m excited to watch people experience this space through all their senses– sight, smell, touch, and heart.” As you open the doors on the ground floor, expect a feeling of calm to wash over you. Escape the bustling Dalal Street as you set foot on Anita Dongre’s signature black and white marble flooring, breathe in the rose fragrance and cast your eyes on the lush green and gold handpainted pichhwai walls that hold 200 year old exposed teak beams. Peeking at you from the floor above is an old type open verandah with original cast iron
railings, and stained glass recreated from patterns the Sassoon building flaunted in the 1800s. This verandah is framed by Rajasthani jharokhas. The ground floor features jewellery and Anita Dongre’s newly launched vegan
accessories, set against custom designed wallpaper that draws from Anita Dongre’s embroidery patterns. The second floor features menswear against grey and gold hand painted pichhwai walls. Light pours in through a wall of balcony doors behind lush green plants. Historic pictures of this building show that the balconies were added only once the fort ramparts were removed around 1865. Cast iron columns with Corinthian capitals support the rich timber balcony structure and are lined by glazed tiles. During the restoration of this floor, the wooden balconies were brought back to life, stained glass was painstakingly recreated from old pictures, and tiles were salvaged from the original while new pieces were created to match the pattern. Experience a priceless luxury here– a quiet gallery to witness the passage of time– look over the Rajabai clocktower and Kalaghoda’s many architectural buildings.
Anita Dongre’s newest flagship store in the heart of Mumbai’s art district– Kalaghoda is proof of how the forgotten can find a place in our modern world- whether craft, architecture or a way of life. From hand-
embroidered cushions and elephants embroidered on sheer curtains, to restored metal and woodwork, and tiles and stained glass that recreate the grandeur of “Bombay” before the fort walls went down, every inch of the 8500
square feet of Sassoon Building is given a new lease on life while celebrating the inherent and original elements of luxury. As you walk out of this experience, you’ll carry with you a feeling of tranquility and freedom. Here,
straight out of Anita Dongre’s vision of paradise, nature coexists with craft and the old meets new in a harmonious rhythm.
Shanti Banaras
Shanti Banaras brings back handloom heritage to the port city that introduced the world to Indian craft mastery. Shanti Banaras’ first foray in Mumbai is designed by AND Design Co. an ambidextrous interior design and
architecture studio. In creating this space, the award-winning duo channeled classic old-world charm blended with cues of progressive modernity and inviting minimalism. Shanti Banaras’ signature exquisite taste was magnified with intricate details of Indian motifs in the form of carvings and elements that are reminiscent of a place rooted in traditions, heritage, and luxurious craftsmanship. The result is a picturesque setting that feels both like a home from the 18th century and a modern store that makes exquisite fabrics accessible in 2023.The 3800-square-foot store begins with an entrance that opens into an art gallery featuring high ceilings and a grandstand play of Pichwai Embroidered Art on grey stucco walls. The brand’s intricate and elegant logomark finds play as signature golden grills on the main door and cabinets. The main principle of this architecture was to express the delicate beauty, precision, and character of Shanti Banaras’ story revealed in the nostalgia of an iconic building of Kala Ghoda. Says Khushi, “Set in a heritage building, the store takes the vision of Shanti forward by celebrating some of the finest weaves from Banaras. We were born from the vision of exhibiting authentic Indian artisanship and the richness of hand-woven Banarasi silk and this store is our way of being a piece of that heritage back to Bombay. With this store, Shanti Banaras brings the ageless beauty of Indian real zari work to Bombay. Endorsing century-old craftsmanship and family business of nearly 70 years, this brand has set the standard high, in addition to the brand’s signature hand-embroidered weaves that resemble works of art.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee
Sabyasachi Mukherjee is not only known for his designs but he is one of the very first Indian designers who extended his cultural curation on the global map. His collaboration with various international brands earned him gigantic honours around the world. His new store at Horniman Circle is the largest flagship store, sprawled over 25000 sq ft and housed in a marvellous neo- classical heritage landmark building. “For culture to be relevant it needs to be dynamic,” says Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Known for his authenticity and cultural craftsmanship sabya has made sure to reach the grandeur and opulence inspired by his homeland Kolkata. It’s a store reimagined as an art museum where interiors have been transformed into an immersive retail experience that blends the house’s signature cultural savoir-faire with Indian decadence, history and exclusivity. Over 100 chandeliers, 275 carpets, 3,000 books, and 150 works of art created by the Sabyasachi Foundation are layered among antique Tanjore paintings, vintage photography, rare lithographs, and historical trinkets, some from his own collection. The space
is lined with souk-sourced curiosity cabinets, modernist interpretations of Persian Qajars, 18th-century Venetian handcrafted chairs, rare French Art Nouveau cabinets, and brass sculptures made in his hometown Kolkata. And
guests to the store can’t stop admiring Tang dynasty pottery, rare Canton vases and other antiquities on turn-of-the-century furniture with delicate inlay work. From Rajasthan to Bengal, vintage handwoven and crafted textiles from across India can be found all across the store. The ground floor contains the Sabyasachi bridal collection. The first floor is dedicated to the brand’s largest showcase of jewellery in the world, housing fine, heritage and high jewellery collections.
Ethical luxury has taken its high-end avatar like no other with these Indian brands. Luxury traditional ready-to-wear is no different than any precious jewellery we buy and invest in, but having a shopping experience at one of
these stores will not only ignite your senses but it will give you a remarkable expedition to see and feel the cultural values refined on global standards. Brands that rely on skilled artisans, a traditional craft that holds a significant
interest in cultural redemption are not only preserving traditional customs and heritage but also promoting sustainability by making handmade works in the most royal manners possible.
Anita Dongre
Anita Dongre’s Flagship store is an oasis of tranquillity in Kalaghoda. Says Anita Dongre, “Bombay is my home, and the Sassoon building has witnessed every change of this city. In restoring this building we wanted to keep as
much of its original form as we could– stained glass windows, timber beams and staircase, the tiles… I wanted to bring back the luxury of the 19th century and have it meet the effortless grace of the 21st century. It’s been a particular joy to realise a vision that mixes Indian crafts with colonial architecture against art that celebrates nature’s bounty. I’m excited to watch people experience this space through all their senses– sight, smell, touch, and heart.” As you open the doors on the ground floor, expect a feeling of calm to wash over you. Escape the bustling Dalal Street as you set foot on Anita Dongre’s signature black and white marble flooring, breathe in the rose fragrance and cast your eyes on the lush green and gold handpainted pichhwai walls that hold 200 year old exposed teak beams. Peeking at you from the floor above is an old type open verandah with original cast iron
railings, and stained glass recreated from patterns the Sassoon building flaunted in the 1800s. This verandah is framed by Rajasthani jharokhas. The ground floor features jewellery and Anita Dongre’s newly launched vegan
accessories, set against custom designed wallpaper that draws from Anita Dongre’s embroidery patterns. The second floor features menswear against grey and gold hand painted pichhwai walls. Light pours in through a wall of balcony doors behind lush green plants. Historic pictures of this building show that the balconies were added only once the fort ramparts were removed around 1865. Cast iron columns with Corinthian capitals support the rich timber balcony structure and are lined by glazed tiles. During the restoration of this floor, the wooden balconies were brought back to life, stained glass was painstakingly recreated from old pictures, and tiles were salvaged from the original while new pieces were created to match the pattern. Experience a priceless luxury here– a quiet gallery to witness the passage of time– look over the Rajabai clocktower and Kalaghoda’s many architectural buildings.
Anita Dongre’s newest flagship store in the heart of Mumbai’s art district– Kalaghoda is proof of how the forgotten can find a place in our modern world- whether craft, architecture or a way of life. From hand-
embroidered cushions and elephants embroidered on sheer curtains, to restored metal and woodwork, and tiles and stained glass that recreate the grandeur of “Bombay” before the fort walls went down, every inch of the 8500
square feet of Sassoon Building is given a new lease on life while celebrating the inherent and original elements of luxury. As you walk out of this experience, you’ll carry with you a feeling of tranquility and freedom. Here,
straight out of Anita Dongre’s vision of paradise, nature coexists with craft and the old meets new in a harmonious rhythm.
Shanti Banaras
Shanti Banaras brings back handloom heritage to the port city that introduced the world to Indian craft mastery. Shanti Banaras’ first foray in Mumbai is designed by AND Design Co. an ambidextrous interior design and
architecture studio. In creating this space, the award-winning duo channeled classic old-world charm blended with cues of progressive modernity and inviting minimalism. Shanti Banaras’ signature exquisite taste was magnified with intricate details of Indian motifs in the form of carvings and elements that are reminiscent of a place rooted in traditions, heritage, and luxurious craftsmanship. The result is a picturesque setting that feels both like a home from the 18th century and a modern store that makes exquisite fabrics accessible in 2023.The 3800-square-foot store begins with an entrance that opens into an art gallery featuring high ceilings and a grandstand play of Pichwai Embroidered Art on grey stucco walls. The brand’s intricate and elegant logomark finds play as signature golden grills on the main door and cabinets. The main principle of this architecture was to express the delicate beauty, precision, and character of Shanti Banaras’ story revealed in the nostalgia of an iconic building of Kala Ghoda. Says Khushi, “Set in a heritage building, the store takes the vision of Shanti forward by celebrating some of the finest weaves from Banaras. We were born from the vision of exhibiting authentic Indian artisanship and the richness of hand-woven Banarasi silk and this store is our way of being a piece of that heritage back to Bombay. With this store, Shanti Banaras brings the ageless beauty of Indian real zari work to Bombay. Endorsing century-old craftsmanship and family business of nearly 70 years, this brand has set the standard high, in addition to the brand’s signature hand-embroidered weaves that resemble works of art.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee
Sabyasachi Mukherjee is not only known for his designs but he is one of the very first Indian designers who extended his cultural curation on the global map. His collaboration with various international brands earned him gigantic honours around the world. His new store at Horniman Circle is the largest flagship store, sprawled over 25000 sq ft and housed in a marvellous neo- classical heritage landmark building. “For culture to be relevant it needs to be dynamic,” says Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Known for his authenticity and cultural craftsmanship sabya has made sure to reach the grandeur and opulence inspired by his homeland Kolkata. It’s a store reimagined as an art museum where interiors have been transformed into an immersive retail experience that blends the house’s signature cultural savoir-faire with Indian decadence, history and exclusivity. Over 100 chandeliers, 275 carpets, 3,000 books, and 150 works of art created by the Sabyasachi Foundation are layered among antique Tanjore paintings, vintage photography, rare lithographs, and historical trinkets, some from his own collection. The space
is lined with souk-sourced curiosity cabinets, modernist interpretations of Persian Qajars, 18th-century Venetian handcrafted chairs, rare French Art Nouveau cabinets, and brass sculptures made in his hometown Kolkata. And
guests to the store can’t stop admiring Tang dynasty pottery, rare Canton vases and other antiquities on turn-of-the-century furniture with delicate inlay work. From Rajasthan to Bengal, vintage handwoven and crafted textiles from across India can be found all across the store. The ground floor contains the Sabyasachi bridal collection. The first floor is dedicated to the brand’s largest showcase of jewellery in the world, housing fine, heritage and high jewellery collections.
Ethical luxury has taken its high-end avatar like no other with these Indian brands. Luxury traditional ready-to-wear is no different than any precious jewellery we buy and invest in, but having a shopping experience at one of
these stores will not only ignite your senses but it will give you a remarkable expedition to see and feel the cultural values refined on global standards. Brands that rely on skilled artisans, a traditional craft that holds a significant
interest in cultural redemption are not only preserving traditional customs and heritage but also promoting sustainability by making handmade works in the most royal manners possible.