Shopper’s Haven

The invites in your e-mail inbox or the letterbox at home will tell you that such exhibitions happen more frequently in the city than they ever did before. What’s more,it’s no longer restricted to a solo show of a homegrown designer calling you over home for a dekko. It is now a much bigger bandwagon that gets together a motley of designers and hosts them at one place. The rules of the game have also changed. For one,exhibitions are no longer called exhibitions. “They are now collective shows that are put together keeping certain themes in mind,” tells Manmeet Singh,director of Show Bizz India that’s rolled out several such exhibitions in the city over the last two years. “We time it with a change of season. The focus,of course,are the ladies who look forward to such one stop buys in a bazaar-like ambience,” adds Singh who organised a jewellery exhibition ‘Gahan Kala’ along with ‘Summer Fashion Kaliedoscope’.

Interestingly,the organisers are quick to step out of the ordinary. The recent show titled ‘Interior and Fashion Week’ that was hosted at Hotel Shivalikview,was aimed at both the homemaker as well as the working woman along with style divas,would-be brides and grooms,interior and fashion designers along with corporates looking for gifts. “The aim is to offer all aspects of shopping under one roof and at price points that suits everyone’s pocket,” mentioned a spokesperson for Paranizers,the event management company which put the show together.

Interestingly,these shows that revolve around lifestyle themes are a great way to update yourself on latest trends. “It gives both the exhibitor as well as the shopper an idea of the local tastes,preferences and also a competitive edge,” says event manager Rashmi Bindra who recently rolled out a two-day ‘Bridal Affair’ exhibition that saw designers like Kolkata-based Jaya Misra and the well-known Abdul Haldar be a part of the show. “Out-station designers who don’t otherwise retail out of the city are keen to test waters and this is a great way,” adds Bindra who roped in wedding planners,tarot reader as well as a catering company to complete the bridal space.

While most of these fashion and lifestyle shows happen under one big air-conditioned roof where you get to rub shoulders (literally) while you shop,it’s a different story at the Vanity Fair. A much looked forward to event on the city’s annual roster,especially when it comes to shopping and splurging on a weekend,the Vanity Fair,hosted by the Jagats at their sprawling Whispering Willows country resort in Zirakpur is getting bigger each year. “This time we brought in 112 exhibitors from all over,” tells Priya Jagat,the brain behind the annual beer-meets-barbeque affair. From home accessories to furniture,linen to pottery,jewellery to clothes,trinkets to charms— there’s always a potpourri of the best picks and good food to go alongside.

All these weekend spreads (most exhibitions are timed that way and run for two to three days),comfy ambience (think an air-conditioned banquet hall) and mind-boggling variety to choose from has the city shopaholic mighty pleased. “I love one-stop exhibitions. It’s a great way to spend time surveying the latest trends and shop for knick-knacks,” says fashion design student Ridhi Sharma who makes it a point to catch up all the shows. For Veena Garg and her daughter-in-law Swati,the lifestyle shows are always worth a visit. “For one,they are in a comfortable environment and I have often picked up interesting knick-knacks for the house,” mentions Swati. With the change of season,we hear another couple of shows are around the corner. Happy shopping.