Stores with stories

Shimmering chandeliers and splashes of green, these 13 retail stores craft fantastical lands you can shop in

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A wise someone once said shopping is an art. And we couldn’t agree more, especially after witnessing the design theatrics these 13 retail store interiors in India display! Diligently bespoke and surely striking, these stores invite you in to mesmerise with curated ensembles, merchandise and mise-en-scènes.

Whether it’s the cave-inspired pillars of Bluorng, an elevated streetwear brand; the curved architraves at Punit Balana’s store; or the stellar green backdrop at Shivan and Narresh Homes’ newest outpost, these retail stores are portals that transport you into a world of design and detailing far richer than you could imagine.

A blend of brown and beige makes for a balanced palette; Photograph courtesy of CORD

CORD(ed) to the past, New Delhi, by Sector Form

Nothing says vintage quite like sepia tones, and leading with that thought, Cord’s new flagship store in New Delhi is bathed in it. Designed by  Ishaan Osheen of Sector Form, this store evokes old-world charm through elements like handmade flooring tiles and wood detailing all around. Archways of wooden panelling separate sections of the floor plan, inspired by the feel of train carriages, one leading into another. Simple and antiquated, yellow-toned wallpaper in the washroom and fabric similar to an oil on canvas painting cover the booth seating. Speaking to the brand’s aesthetic of leather purses, appliqué and craft-centred clothing, their store appears equally thoughtful in its construction. 

Guiding colours, blue patterns help you navigate this experience; Photography by Murtaza Gandhi

A den for denim in Gujarat by Jindal Worldwide

Both raw and highly detailed, this denim experience centre for Jindal Worldwide is made to feel exactly like jeans translated into interior design. A combination of concrete flooring and blue epoxy that outlines a path makes for a consistent, visually captivating element, while an unfinished roof reveals pipes and hardware, adding to the atmosphere. Denim pieces are distributed throughout on suspended black metal pipes secured from above and below. Designed by Studio Deshi, materiality plays a crucial role in this experience centre, accentuated by the presence of mirrors throughout the space, which expand and blur boundaries. 

A chandelier slowly winds its way down; Photograph courtesy of Punit Balana

India, but make it Jaipur by Punit Balana

Punit Balana, an India-inspired couturier known for weaving the contemporary into heritage clothing, found the newest base to showcase his work in Jaipur’s Barwara House. Echoing the intentional and craft-centred clothing of the eponymous label, this flagship store features carved wooden panels that float along busy racks, as coin-beaded curtains fall across archways. Floating gold mirrors and square tiles below complete this heritage-inspired boutique nestled amongst trees, painting the picture of a peaceful shopping retreat. 

Teak wood flooring and walls have been sourced from Reclaimed Wood Centre, a subsidiary to THC which sources its materials from century-old colonial buildings; Styling by Samir Wadekar, Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

A wooden wonderland in Mumbai by Vrinda Agarwal Designs

Meet Nayab by THC (Traditional Handicrafts Centre), a third-generation brand that brings the artistry of Jaipur woodworkers to the forefront of the cosmopolitan world. Led by siblings Priyank Gupta and Vrinda Agarwal, the brand needed a space for their retail outlet that teemed with warmth and history. This led Vrinda of her eponymous design firm to fold into the Mumbai store a multitude of wooden finishes, all as an ode to the craftsmanship and intricate work on display. Carved panels adorn the ceilings, wood-finished walls envelope you, and parquet flooring layered under plush rugs brings in softness. Nayab aims to hold close the art of traditional Indian creations and celebrate the work of communities that keep these stories alive, showcasing their work in a contemporary setting and paying homage to what came before.

A concrete impact; Photography by Avesh Gaur

An urban case study by Metanoia Designs in Gurugram

Awash in micro-concrete and sinuous pillars, Bluorng’s brand-new Gurugram store is an extension of their design philosophy. Featuring an updated take on the hip streetwear company’s logo by Nitush-Aroosh, this store, designed by Metanoia Designs, aimed to break the monotony of the mall shopping experience. A minimal palette and heavy emphasis on texture and materials infuse the space with the energy of the brand and its dedication to raw authenticity. 

Persian carpets adorn the floor, as rose petals guide you in; Photography by Purnesh Dev Nikhanj

Overtones of opulence by Loop Design Studio, Chandigarh

Picture this: grand crystal chandeliers that twinkle gently atop lush Persian carpets, within curving corridors of red brick and glass skylights. Open your eyes and you’re standing within Pink Almirah’s Loop Design Studio-orchestrated flagship Chandigarh store. Tall vaulted ceilings, interspersed by equally impressive arches, allow the glitzy outfits enough and more room to shine, while the marble flooring quietly plays along to the swanky tune. A dash of rose petals leading from room to room completes this romance between shop and shopper.

Simple and elevated, this store understands the importance of understated design; Photography by Amisha Gurbani

Bare-ing oneself with Space Designs, Mumbai

Stark and to the point, this canonically minimalist flagship boutique for Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna in Juhu stays true to itself. Focusing on what’s important, the backdrop of dramatic black marble flooring and grey walls accented by hints of dark metal hanging rods, emphasises the brand’s love for symmetry, balance and immersion. Clean and precise, just like their designs, the store, conceptualised by Space Designs, is hugely impactful in all the small ways.

A bold impact, this store is sure to lure onlookers in; Photograph courtesy of Shivan and Narresh Homes

Seeing green with Shivan and Narresh, New Delhi

Drawing you in even before you step inside, this new treasure trove for Shivan and Narresh Homes is awash from top to bottom and side to side in Sylvan Green. A flagship store with a flagship colour, and accents of black in the shelving, as a contrastingly colourful rug serves a touch of unpredictable playfulness, in the middle of it all. This store in Delhi sets the tone in a bold and authentic manner.

Natural materiality is played up in this calming palette; Styling by Geethika Kanumilli, Photography by Vishal Gadapa

Simplicity and sustainability by Geethika Kanumilli, Hyderabad

Geethika Kanumilli’s Jubilee Hills outlet, within all its layers of luxury and bespoke garments, wished to stay true to itself. The store is defined by its simplicity and thoughtful design, with a soft palette of cream and sand. Custom furniture made from leftover construction material nods to their dedication to sustainability, as elements of marble and wood are peppered throughout. Offering an oasis of calm to browse their delicate craftsmanship, this store makes you want to linger and lounge.

Holding the blue sky within, handmade paper lanterns add to the drama; Photography by Abner Fernandes

A roof of blue by House of Mistry, Mumbai

Inspired by the blue hue of the brand, the ceiling of this Koa Furnishings store in Mumbai’s Lower Parel was covered end to end in a dark blue. Then illuminated by statement light fixtures of white fabric, custom-built with the help of Piyusha Patwardhan. Designed by House of Mistry, this store blends traditional components like light wood flooring and patterned rugs with contemporary elements through artwork and installations, amalgamating into an updated take for a company loved for many years.

A metallic museum; Photography by The Open Art Project

A bold beginning by SLOT Design Studio, New Delhi

The Nimai store in New Delhi makes sure their patrons’ foray into multi-designer jewellery begins on a theatrical note, with pepper red splashed across the entry wall and an uninterrupted ceiling-to-floor finish of stucco and concrete grey within. A silver cashiers counter and hints of red running throughout the store, coupled with floating shelves, lend this space, designed by the founders of Nimai themselves, a liminal feel of metal and shine, allowing the jewellery of their new chapter to speak for itself.

Textured ceilings and curving mirrors layer a sense of flow within the space; Photography by Gokull Rao Kadam

A sandy sanctuary by Aston Design, Bengaluru

Meant to mimic the feel of fabric flowing through the space, Siorai’s new store in Bengaluru by Aston Design utilises tall beige ceilings and walls, stripping it down to a bare textured background between shoppers and rows of tailored luxury. Artistic waves on the ceiling, a striped black and white seating and a 15-ft double-height mirror allow small accents of drama to add a sense of unpredictability to the setting. Awash in natural light through expansive windows, the store flows seamlessly from one section to another, all smoothly integrated within the colour palette with touches of metallic notes.

Semi-precious stones within the staircase lead you upstairs; Photograph courtesy of Tarun Tahiliani

True to Tarun, Mumbai

Leaning into Tarun Tahiliani’s classic style ethos of Indian with a contemporary twist, the label’s new store in Mumbai’s Juhu is a charming blend of wooden bay windows and plush carpets running along a delectable mix of sculptural decor decisions. The design house’s famous ‘Jal’ design featuring net like delicate twisting lines manifests in the wooden separators throughout the store, with contrasting dark lacquered furniture, while a minimalist staircase inlaid with semi-precious stones hangs suspended with gold wires in the centre of it all, a true showstopper. 

Only the essentials; COS plays up the design in a manner that sits in harmony with their collection; Photography by Suryan Saurabh

Cosplaying COS, New Delhi

Wrapped in a light beige Amourcoat, clay lime plaster, the façade for the new COS store in New Delhi knows exactly what impact it wants to leave. Light neutrals and sand colours melt into one another with striking aluminium racks and recycled shelving displaying the brand’s latest collection of elevated essentials. A love letter to materiality and craftsmanship, the store features a sculptural table made of recycled cellulose fibres, coloured with natural pigments from Paper Factor, while underfoot flow Terrazzo floor tiles of 90% recycled material from Grassi Pietre. Statement pieces like the iconic Pierre Paulin Pumpkin sofa and hand-tufted wool rugs add to this high fashion store a sense of thoughtful grace. 

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