 |
Confessions of a shopaholic
Pretty woman, walking down the street/ Pretty woman, the kind I like to meet/ Pretty woman... No one could look as good as you/ Mercy
The title track of Pretty Woman starts playing in my head the minute I fling open the glass door that stands between me and the mall. The song is not even slightly interrupted with the rude invasion of privacy at the gates because I am more than cooperative when it comes to splitting my handbag wide open — the quicker the security procedures, the sooner the shopping can begin.
Inside, it’s bliss. I love malls. I love shopping. I love shopping malls. I also love shopping streets. Bazaars. Fairs. Festivals. Weekend markets. Night markets. You get the drift.
I love the smell of malls. Every store has a special fragrance. Even if it’s not Lush. Or Cookie Man. I love the touch of malls. I love the feel of slipping a one-shoulder dress off a hanger and holding it on myself in front of the mirror. I love to reach up to the shelf above for the tan purse to see how it slings on my shoulder. I love to feel the avocado hand cream on my fingers. I love to try the creamy coral lipstick on a freshly sanitised brush. I love to hang the feather earrings from my ear piercing. I love to challenge myself to the highest heels — nude patent peep toes. I love the softness of the beach towel against my cheek. I love to imagine how hot my tea will remain in a kitschy cup. I love taking the maximum number of items you are allowed into the dressing room. But I don’t love the clank of my sunglasses when they fall off my head in the hurry to pull the new macramé top over my head.
I love the sounds of malls. I love the smiling “Yes Ma’m” when I say “Excuse Me” (can I have a bigger size please). I love the sound of the anti-theft device being clinked-off. I love the sound of my card being charged, it’s indescribable. As indescribable as a perfect sunset.
Till recently I didn’t feel the love in my daily (weekend-ly) life. Shopping was restricted to holidays. I wasn’t choosy — Delhi to Dubai. Anything does. But now things are different. We have malls. We have the big brands. And it’s only getting bigger. And better.
After a day spent at the mall when I reach the glass door, the shopping bags reaching my elbows, I can’t fling it open. But my song remains unchanged.
Mango
 |
 |
| Coral all-day bag, Rs 3,550 |
 |
| Oversized shades, Rs 2,190 |
Founded by: Turkish brothers Isak and Nahman Andic in Paseo de Garcia, Barcelona, in 1984.
DoB in Calcutta: August 2010 in Forum Courtyard.
Rack record: There is something for everyone here. Each collection has a mix of the trendy and the timeless. MNG basics (tees, cardigans and jeans) are a must in every college girl’s wardrobe. Their dresses and dress shirts are a working woman’s staples. From quilted bags to beaded cuffs, their accessories are fun and fab.
Did you know? Mango is indeed named after the fruit when Isak Andic fell in love with it on one of his travels! The brand has collaborated with the likes of Elizabeth Hurley and Cruz sisters Penelope and Monica for collections in the past.
Marks & Spencer
 |
 |
| Polka shorts, perfect to retire in, Rs 695 |
 |
| Candy striped collared tee, Rs 595 |
Founded by: Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds in 1884.
DoB in Calcutta: At Avani Heights, Chowringhee, in 2007 but shut down in October 2009. The South City Mall store opened in January 2008.
Rack record: M&S was a household name in India even before it arrived. Value for money is the USP. The basics are the best here — be it bras or bed linen.
Did you know? M&S ad campaigns have featured top names since the Fifties — from Twiggy to Claudia Schiffer, Antonio Banderas to David Beckham. The brand used to accept items returned if unused and if the original bill was produced, irrespective of when they were bought. The policy was scrapped in 2005.
Calvin Klein
 |
 |
| Racer back jersey dress, Rs 2,999 |
 |
| Basic tee for her, Rs 1,499 |
Founded by: Friends Calvin Klein and Barry Schwartz in USA in 1968.
DoB in Calcutta: April 2011 at 10 Elgin Road.
Rack record: Famous for its denims and men’s undergarments, CK combines functionality with fashion. Clean cuts and a minimalist, fuss-free look define the brand that caters to the sober fashionista — both man and woman. From its basic round-neck tees to the iconic CK One jeans in light and dark washes, the idea is comfortable street-style.
Did you know? Klein had to face the heat for the ad campaigns featuring celebrities like Brooke Shields and Kate Moss in sexually provocative poses, but jeans loyalists swear by this denim range. The CK logo is iconic for the way it brands itself — be it on the back pockets of tight jeans or on its range of boxers and briefs. Calvin Klein Incorporated has exceeded $6 billion in annual sales.
Clinique
 |
| Superbalanced Make-up tint is a smooth foundation to conceal spots and pimples (30ml), Rs 1,550 |
 |
| M Shave Aloe Gel (125ml) Rs 980 |
Founded by: Estee Lauder Companies at Saks Fifth Avenue New York in 1968.
DoB in Calcutta: March 2011 at Forum.
Rack record: Interaction between the client and a Clinique consultant, leading to a comprehensive skin consultation, is the focus. Clinique claims to be the first dermatologist-created cosmetic brand. All the products are allergy-tested and 100 per cent fragrance-free.
Did you know? A Vogue magazine beauty article on how to ‘create great skin’ inspired Evelyn Lauder, daughter-in-law of Estee Lauder, to start the brand. Though Clinique is best known for its skincare products, the company earns more than half the revenue from its make-up range — 25 per cent of it from foundations alone!
Accessorize
 |
| Golden shell-shaped box clutch, Rs 2,845 |
Founded in: 1984 in London.
 |
| Cord hair band, Rs 745 |
DoB in Calcutta: Opened in Avani Heights, Chowringhee, in January 2007 but shut shop in mid-2009. Opened at South City Mall in May 2011.
Rack record: Fun, quirky and beachy is the look of the accessories collection that celebrates bright colours and cute prints. The shimmery party clutches are a hit with 20-somethings as are the floral printed bags, Alice bands and costume jewellery. For the feet there are sequinned slip-ons, rubber flip-flops and strappy flat sandals. Very chic!
Did you know? Accessorize is a favourite jewellery stop of the newest member in the British royal family — Kate Middleton.
MAC
 |
| Fluid Line pots in Black Track, Ivy, Wave Line and Macro Violet, Rs 1,000 each. Smoke up your eyes or just draw the line! |
 |
| Eye shader #239, Rs 1,500 Eyeliner brush #209, Rs 1,100 |
Founded by: Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo from Toronto, in 1984.
DoB in Calcutta: August 2008 in Forum.
Rack record: Owned by The Estee Lauder Companies, MAC is the ultimate name in make-up. Their colours and textures — and also the skincare line — are innovative and user-friendly. Mickey Contractor is the director of make-up artistry and together their vision is taking MAC from face to face.
Did you know? The first MAC line was launched from a single counter in the basement of a departmental store in downtown Toronto. It was staffed by a team of professional make-up artists, all in trademark MAC black. Today they have about 750 outlets in 48 countries.
The MAC AIDS Fund has raised more than $42 million though a special line called Viva Glam, among other initiatives. Their cause has been supported by Christina Aguilera, Linda Evangelista, Chloë Sevigny and, more recently, Lady Gaga.
Aldo
 |
 |
| Formal leather slippers for men, Rs 3,400 |
Founded by: Aldo Bensadoun in Montreal, Canada, in 1972.
DoB in Calcutta: August 2010 in Forum Courtyard.
Rack record: The high-street footwear brand is a shoe shopper’s favourite stop. Strappy wedges and suede slip-on shoes remain the classiest picks. The everyday-wear buys are ankle-high gladiators, bow ballerinas, and leather sandals for men. Aldo accessories and bags are also lauded for their contemporary designs — from stone danglers to dainty clutches.
Did you know? Aldo made an appearance at the Prince William-Kate Middleton wedding as a pair of nude stilettos on the feet of UK first lady Samantha Cameron. The cast of the American sitcom Gossip Girl frequently flaunts Aldo shoes and bags on the show.
The body shop
 |
| Vitamin E Moisture Cream, Rs 695 |
 |
| Men’s Luxury Box containing (left to right) Maca Root Energetic Face Protector (100ml), Maca Root Shave Cream (200ml), Shaving Brush and Maca Root Razor Relief (100ml), Rs 2,995 |
Founded by: Anita Roddick in Brighton, UK, in 1976.
DoB in Calcutta: January 2007 at Avani Heights, Chowringhee, only to down shutters in mid-2009. Opened at South City Mall in 2008. Another outlet came up at Forum Courtyard in 2010.
Rack record: One of the first brands to promote environment-friendly skincare and bathing products. The Body Shop has infused exotic au naturel and vitamin-rich ingredients in its bathing gels, soaps, hair products, creams and body oils. The brand also has a line of cosmetics and is strictly against animal testing.
Did you know? The Body Shop has been associated with various movements like Greenpeace, Fair Trade Forum, Stop Violence In The Home campaign and Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Roddick was titled a Dame of the British Empire in 2003.
Promod
 |
| Sailor striped navy-and-white tee, Rs 2,450 |
 |
| Ikat-inspired printed scarf, Rs 1,450 |
Founded by: A French family in 1975.
DoB in Calcutta: August 2010 in Forum Courtyard.
Rack record: Feminine and flirty are the two words that best describe this brand that offers hip casual clothing along with evening wear options. Known for its up-to-date seasonal selections, Promod is a house of bright colours and floral prints on light-weight fabrics and funky accessories that are easy to carry. Their cropped trousers and colourful pants are popular daywear picks through all seasons. The limited-collection footwear is a trendy buy.
Did you know? Promod has 874 outlets in 49 countries. They create close to 3,000 designs a year. There are 5,000 members on the payrolls, more than 90 per cent of them are women — quite like Team t2!
AMRAPALI
 |
| Signature wooden rings in various shapes and styles, a little bit of colour adds fun, prices vary between Rs 975 and Rs 1,275 |
 |
| Gold-plated oxidised cuff with an edgy outline, Rs 11,000 |
Founded by: Friends Rajesh Ajmera and Rajiv Arora in Jaipur in 1978.
DoB in Calcutta: October 2010 in Forum Courtyard.
Rack record: Both traditional and offbeat jewellery share shelf space at Amrapali. While most of the pieces are set in pure silver or gold, you may also spot elegant wooden and pearl jewellery. Statement neckpieces and unusual cuffs are the biggest sellouts at Amrapali.
Did you know? It is the only Indian jewellery brand to have made it to the runways of Milan and New York fashion weeks. Holly hotties Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry often sport Amrapali designs.
FCUK
 |
 |
| Satchel-style tan, a classic all-day bag, Rs 3,299 |
Founded by: Stephen Marks in Paris in 1972.
DoB in Calcutta: April 2011 at South City Mall.
Rack record: Whether you are comfortable in casual, peppy T-shirts and blouses or formal A-line dresses, French Connection — or FCUK — has a great mix of both. The label stands out for its UK-inspired street-smart clothing, from ruffled tops and sporty tees to simple jersey dresses that can be worn minus much accessories. Its collection of shoulder bags and totes can be a working woman’s daily carrier.
Did you know? The brand name came under fire for its proximity to the other, more famous, ‘f’ word, but that did not stop the designers from coming up with catchy T-shirt slogans which became a rage. Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra are all suckers for a good FCUK — dresses, jumpsuits and tops.
vero moda, jack & Jones
 |
 |
| Flip-flops for men, Rs 795 |
Founded by: Bestseller in Denmark in 1989.
DoB in Calcutta: August 2010 at South City Mall.
Rack record: Known for its very wearable day and evening clothing, Vero Moda and Jack & Jones cater to the 16-35 age bracket. Both the brands are synonymous with trendy casuals and semi-formals.
Did you know? In 1998 they started with a staff of 15 with the brand represented in three countries. In 2009, they were in 45 countries with a staff of 170 at the company’s headquarters in Brande, Denmark. In 2007, supermodel Gisele Bündchen was hired to promote the brand.
Compiled by Shradha Agarwal & Radhika Sen Pictures by Pabitra Das
Foreign fanfare
 |
It wasn’t long ago that falling footfalls had felled British behemoth Marks & Spencer at Avani Heights, opposite Calcutta Club, with the brand bouquet comprising The Body Shop, Guess, Next, Accessorize and Planet Sports — riding piggyback on it — perishing even before.
The hit Calcutta’s already beleaguered shop-floor image took because of this ‘foreign’ blow, worsened by a spate of shutdowns that rocked the city’s retail high streets around the same time, has been softened to a large extent by the recent entry of a clutch of high-profile overseas brands.
The retail resurrection of ‘aspirational’ foreign labels was nurtured by South City Mall with the likes of M&S, Lladro and Lacoste. It gained momentum with The Courtyard at Forum, the Rs 50-crore annexe of Forum mall on Elgin Road — which gave Calcutta its first chill of ‘mall-eria’ in 2002, ushering in names like Mango, Promod and Aldo, besides Charles & Keith, Tie Rack, Mothercare, Alcott and Boggi.
South City Mall rejoined the foreign fanfare with the European quartet of Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, Only and Pieces, apparel and accessories brands under the umbrella of Danish retail giant Bestseller, providing a welcome perception prop to a city still way down in the pecking order for international giants.
The shop-eat-hangout address on Prince Anwar Shah Road, identified as a must-visit destination for out-of-town visitors by international consultants Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, is dedicating another 10,000 to 12,000sq ft to attention-grabbing brands like Nautica, FCUK, Timberland, Esprit and Accesorize. This is a 40 per cent increase over last year.
“The aspiration level for international fashion labels among Indian consumers is steadily rising and the eastern India market is not left behind any longer. We always wanted to bring renowned international fashion labels to Calcutta. So, the addition of global brands like Esprit, Nautica, FCUK and Accessorize to our mall is aligned with our plans,” says Manmohan Bagree, vice-president, South City Projects.
The buoyancy is infectious. Based on “a painstaking market research and study of customer behaviour pattern” over six months, the Forum management has chalked out a “re-programme” aimed at re-orienting the mall’s brand blend. “Our ‘re-programme’ stands for rejuvenation, rediscovery, renewal, re-positioning.... We feel Calcutta is now ready for these top-notch international brands,” says Rahul Saraf, the managing director of Forum Projects.
Sumit Suneja, the real estate and business development manager, Bestseller Retail India, agrees. “We are looking to consolidate our presence in the East and Northeast, with Calcutta as the hub,” he reasons.
South City Mall has also launched a kiosk for a range of international watches, christened ‘Bezel — Temple of Time’, an initiative of Gitanjali Jewels which will have exclusive brands like Givenchy, Morellato, Miss Sixty, Just Cavalli, Sector, Chronotech and GF Ferre.
“The back-to-back entry of so many premium overseas brands indicates a more mature market in Calcutta. Besides, foreign players will always have a herd mentality and others waiting in the wings are now likely to take the plunge sooner rather than later,” feels Abhijit Das of property consultants Lemongrass Advisers.
