A Touch of Romance

The store’s décor is inspired by Parisian romance. Mukherjee explains as he walks us through the shop,“The reason the whole world celebrates Paris is because the Parisian’s celebrate themselves. The best way we could achieve the kind of vintage romance that Paris is known for,was by using pieces from our own history. Which is why I was very particular about each piece that went up here—I’ve sourced photographs and prints from all over the place.” All the items have come from Mukherjee’s own collection of antiques,from the vintage Nawabi chandelier positioned over the cashier’s desk,to the black and white photographs of newly-weds from another era. “Someday you might walk in and find your grandparents in one of the photographs,” he says.

Every last detail of the retail space has been supervised by Mukherjee himself to ensure that shopping there is a complete experience in itself. There are comfortable couches,chairs and chaise lounges strewn around the store,including the two trial rooms. Customised consultations will be available at all times. Apart from the clothes—both womenswear and menswear—even the designer’s intricately designed shoes and jewellery will be available on sale. But if you fancy some of the vintage china ware or classic Raja Ravi Varma prints,you’ll have to keep dreaming. “All you can do is drool,” laughs the designer.

The designer will next move on to launching his flagship store in Kolkata,which he informs us has a mango tree growing right in the middle and which is due in another two months’ time. “The pressure is on now. The Mumbai store has turned out so beautifully,that I’ll now have to think of a way to surpass it. If my Kolkata clients walk into this place and see that it’s better done,then I’ll be rogered.”