New Delhi’s Mehrauli witnessed the opening of fashion designer Anita Dongre’s brand new—and largest—couture store last month. Spanning 10,000 square feet with two floors, the store showcases Dongre’s signature wedding styles featuring gotapatti lehngas and classic Indian Designer wear along with some very modern silhouettes, with the label’s pret line on the ground floor. The interiors are brimming with Indian crafts, with a particular emphasis on Rajasthani accents— block-painting and thikri work, intricate hand-painted Pichwai style paintings, hand-carved marble fountain and elaborate jaalis, niches and alcoves accentuating the architecture. Plus you are also treated to brass artefacts on display from Anita’s travel souvenirs. Add to that the aroma of freshly brewed herbal tea infused with mint, lemongrass and ginger (all organically grown on the store’s terrace garden and served at the store), and you’ve got some serious bliss in store. To top it all off, when you’ve had your fill of shopping you can saunter into the store’s mini library that’s sure to sate your senses with coffee table books on art, textiles, wines, maharajas and cars. That’s quite what we call the art of fine shopping.
