Raw Fish

The wait has been unforgivably long. But we’re willing to forgive and forget: for inside the store,opened in association with the Gitanjali Group,are rows of the designer’s typically quirky dresses,tops,leggings and T-shirts,featuring every print and hue imaginable.

The shopping choice ranges from pieces from the designer’s latest collections to some of his retrospective creations. These include his relatively costlier ‘Paris’ collections,his ‘Indian by Manish Arora’ collection as well as the funky Fish Fry range. The store stocks the designer’s popular T-shirts and leggings with some of his most fun and irreverent prints — the famous ‘hand mudra’ print,as well as his kitschy takes on Cineblitz covers of years past,and characters from Disney’s Jungle Book.

There are few accessories to choose from,as the store has only scarves and bags. However,we were informed by the staff that they take orders for any piece from the collection catalogues,including

the bags.

What is surprising is how sparsely the store has been arranged. Given the flamboyance and theatrics that Arora’s creations and his ramp shows are known for,we had expected at least a few hints of his outrageous design sense in the interiors. The floor is hot pink and clouds have been painted on the ceiling,but the Plain Jane racks and straitlaced arrangements dampen the effect.

Some of the best stores around the world — whether they are global luxury brands or small corner stores — work partly on the merits of their products,and partly on how much unique ‘personality’

they have. Shopping shouldn’t be a generic experience; and with fashion stores,it always helps when a designer’s individual vision is stamped on the clothes as well as the decor.

The Manish Arora by Gitanjali Lifestyle is,moreover,tucked away in one of the corridors of the ground floor of Atria Mall; we’re worried that it may have a hard time grabbing eyeballs. It’s only been a little over two weeks since the store opened,so there’s still time for them to establish a more appropriate tone and look.

The city’s only Manish

Arora outlet deserves at least that much.