A LIFE-size replica of a red bull, sitting down, is an odd choice of installation for a high fashion store. But in Masaba Gupta’s new Bengaluru location, it fits right in. The bull has been a recurrent theme in her collections and her cafe in Hyderabad,The Good Cow Cafe, is even named after it. Apart from the cow, a vintage table fan, framed art and mirrors at the counter, the store is minimal, with her clothes taking centrestage. Spread across 3,500 square feet, this is her first outlet in the city, though she retails out of a few multi-designer boutiques.
“I have been coming to Bengaluru for pop-ups over the last few years and we do quite well here, both at the pop-ups and at the stores that stock our clothes. So we went ahead and found ourselves a permanent location,” explains Masaba, adding, “The decor is nothing out of the ordinary, as we’ve kept it along the lines of our other stores in Mumbai and Delhi. Shopping is an experience, so we wanted to keep the ‘Masaba’ experience uniform throughout.”
Tribal instinct
Besides some of her latest bridal and pret collections, curated to suit the tastes and weather of Bengaluru (heavier silks and handloom fabrics), this is also the first shop to stock her jewellery line — a collaboration with Amrapali. Talking about her experience designing jewellery, she says, “It was a very smooth process because we partnered with Amrapali.” The collection, titled Ghana Ghana, features layered necklaces, chokers, dangling earrings, finger rings and bracelets with tribal-inspired motifs such as bull heads and masks. But it seems trying new things is her agenda for 2019, as she also debuted a swimwear collection two weeks ago. “It’s a fun and functional line, designed specially for Indian bodies. The print story is inspired by marine and coastal life, so think coconuts, crabs and jackfruits,” she explains.
Open mind
Since she launched her label 10 years back, Masaba has caught the attention of the fashion forward Indian woman, with vibrant and quirky prints such as lipsticks, red chillis and candy. While the label has transformed in many ways, the essence has remained the same. Her prints still become a talking point everytime she drops something new. “In the beginning, I had much more of a wild heart. I wasn’t thinking commercially. But now, it’s a much larger brand. I want my clothes to be everyday where. So I design them so that there’s something for everyone,” she tells us.
Having opened her Bengaluru store and then one in Kolkata in a span of a few days, Masaba is also set to unveil her Game of Thrones collection sometime this month.
Rs.6,000 upwards. At Lavelle Road