Shopper Alert

It's that time of the year when purse strings are loosened and retail therapy brings satiety.

With quirky exhibits that have been brought down from Delhi and Mumbai,Shopaholics this year intends to make fun its big motif

It’s that time of the year when purse strings are loosened and retail therapy brings satiety. The one-year-old ‘Shopaholics’ event is a couple of weeks away but already creating a buzz. Conceptualised and initiated by young 20-somethings – Nikita and Sapna Malhotra,this exhibition stands out for its fun,quirky and youth-centric products. Shopaholics was first held in February last year. The shoppers got addicted,so a second version came up in September 2011. This,the third,will be bigger,say Nikita and Sapna. Clothes,accessories,home and product designers and brands from Delhi,Mumbai and Pune will take over the platform.

A total of 43 stalls,including Mumbai’s Chemical Locha,Adaa footwear by Sunanda Varma,Delhi’s Contemporary Living,colour-blocking dresses by Two-gether,Mumbai,and colourful kids furniture by Aurel,Pune,will occupy space at the venue – Vivanta by Taj Blue Diamond. Mumbai-based ‘It’s Our Studio’ is participating for the second time. Its highlight: Quirky products like the Dead Fred Pen Holder,Splat Stan Coaster,Butt Station,Pete Key Holder,Key Bottle Opener and BookBook iPad Case. Located in Tardeo,this venture is a just a few months old. It took off from designing ‘I Cheer for India’ t-shirts and Finger Lights – rings that send out light beams – for friends. Says founder Samir Virani,”A friend suggested that I start something to sell such fun stuff. I took the advice,kicked off the venture on an e-commerce platform and later converted a part of my office (an events and celebrity management company) into a retail space.” He imports fun yet functional merchandise and also designs some himself. “We use coasters and phones everyday,so why not add a dash of uniqueness to them?” he quips.

Nikita’s ‘The Chocolate Story’ with its array of creative chocolate bouquets will also take up shop here. “We started the exhibition on a very casual scale. The concept worked. Now,designers and brands remember us as we cater to a younger crowd. We constantly attend exhibitions in various cities to pick out prospective participants,” says Sapna. The duo have a limit on the number of stalls per category. One of the products in the clothes category to look out for is WYO – Wear Your Opinion. This Mumbai-based outfit has t-shirts with socially relevant messages and of course a lot of pun. “It’s about wearing your attitude and opinion. The t-shirts are designed by artists and designers based in different parts of the country. They reflect Indian society,culture and current events,” says founder Rajveen Khandelwal. Every week,a new design is launched,whether on Anna Hazare’s campaign,Kolaveri Di or technology-intrusion. “We have a cartoonist’s line coming up for Shopaholics,” he adds. Our pick: The Pati,Patni Aur Woh (computer icon) t-shirt.

Shopaholics will be held on February 4 and 5 at Vivanta By Taj Blue Diamond

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