At Richards Park, 110-year-old Bung-alow 7 is buzzing with activity. The venue, which has been holding wedding receptions, birthday dos and the odd flea market, is preparing to host My Cup Of Tea, a curated pop-up of up-and-coming fashion labels and gourmet brands. Concep-tualised by Rosemary Jacob, the event debuts in Bengaluru, after a successful outing in Kochi late last year.
“We got a very good response in Kochi, and my friends and acquaintances in Bengaluru wanted to know if I’d be holding one in their city. So I realised it would work very well here,” says city-based Rosemary, whose experience managing the Indian market for Singapore-based Asian handicraft e-store, Coopita, steered her in the direction of artisanal products. “I’ve reached a point where I don’t even think about shopping at malls and departmental stores,” she reveals.
The event features 24 brands with a large number of names showcasing their products in the city for the first time. Apart from local labels such as Milk Teeth, known for its kidswear, Mayank Modi (menswear), Varnam (Channapatna toys and home decor) and Bare Necess-ities (lifestyle products), one can expect to shop from Delhi-based Zariin (avant garde jewellery) and Famita Latheef (a Kochi-based designer who creates comfortable clothing from khadi mundu (khadi dhoti) and kalli mundu (coloured dhoti). “While there are numerous flea markets in Bengaluru, what sets us apart is that we are presenting a curated list of names. I choose the designers based on their views on sustainability, artistry and whether they are bringing anything unique to the table,” shares Rosemary.
There is special emphasis on jewellery, with labels such as De’Anma and Amorette also making their way to the pop up. While De’Anma boasts an aesthetic that is minimal, sharp and structural, Amorette’s is more opulent and excessive with natural mineral stones and studded pieces. Maati by Neha Kabra too comes to Bengaluru for the first time. The Jaipur-based label seeks to make wearers feel the ‘rawness of the earth’ by using natural dyes and handwoven garments that have a free-flowing, easy and non-fussy vibe.
The two-day event will also have a few gourmet brands like Sprig, Bhuira and Earth Loaf setting up shop. Rosemary has tied up with homebaker Nithya Sunil of The Blackboard Bakery to keep hungry shoppers happy.
Entry Rs.50. Saturday and Sunday. At Richards Town