“Attic” – An Exciting Fashion Botique in Mumbai

Do you want to stand out and be envied at that all important party? Then simply shun the ‘mass produced’ branded clothes and head to The Attic.

In an unassuming, unexpected pocket of Santacruz, Mumbai, lies this proprietary boutique. Very modestly billing itself as “A Fashion & Lifestyle Store” it straight away beats your expectations once you enter the store.  The Attic, with its ‘un-store’ like fascia is like a beautifully appointed ‘living space’ - so interesting, so arresting, so drawing.

You glance at some chic looking clothes on either side of the store. But before you can get to them, there is a ’seating arrangement’ in the centre of the room that beckons you. On it, are kitschy novelty items such as candle stands, and some furnishings like cushions in rather bizarre colors and motifs. It’s an ongoing visual feast. Its all rather unsettling – in the most illogical, but fun way!

Look more carefully and several other seemingly incongruent items catch your eye. There are decorative art wall hangings. Some are bright ‘cartoony’ prints of city sights, others more muted small paintings for one’s kitchen, living spaces, even bedrooms. You navigate to the left side of the Attic and catch more anomalies! Lined on glass shelves along the windows is an array of eccentric, fun items. There are bottle openers, coasters, drink glasses, wine racks – even a lamp shaped like a bulb (which I picked up thinking it might help open my mind’s eye!!). Its sensory overload, but you feel you’ll be fine, since you are not at a store!!

But, What About The ‘Real Alternative’ Fashion You Promised At The Beginning?

Worry not. I am not going back on the promise! I just wanted to capture the same for you how at the Attic garments blend with jewelry, home items and collectibles very naturally, and its just nice to be there away from regular ’store’. Once you have taken in all the visual journey and you make your way towards the garments for that is what you came to look for today. For all the versatility of merchandise the Attic offers, it is the clothes that are the mainstay of this plethora!

For women especially, you will find some really interesting creations that include casual day dresses, cocktail dresses, gowns, even jumpsuits!! Rest assured, this extremely limited production run will guarantee wearable fashion, with the added stamp of exclusivity. The designer owners of the Attic pride themselves on their work, but more than that, they want you to feel a sense of bespoke luxury, at relatively ‘non-luxury’ prices. The mantra for them seems to be affordable fashions, with the clothes starting at about 3,500 rupees and topping off at 14,000(and you suddenly curse yourself for having bought your 7000 rupee ‘branded’ cocktail dress)!

 

Custom-Made

Another cornerstone of the Attic philosophy is to provide custom-made experiences. They will fit-out an entire ensemble for you at your request; in the process, ensuring once again that NOBODY else will be wearing anything similar, and by the time your credit card statement rolls around, that you won’t need to plan a heist either!!

Jewelry, Bags & More

Its not just clothes. You will also be able to replace the accessories you wore with that trite cocktail dress! Look closer and you will find a range of bags starting from casual ‘Mumbai’ inspired cloth jholas to patent leather messenger bags and wallets in pop colors! Even Laptop bags with pop culture icons to a line of beautifully embroidered hand bags and clutches for the evening; its all there for the taking. And if you were considering buying that ‘designer’ bag for INR 25,000 – consider this instead – all the bags retail for less than 6000 rupees!!

Next up, you notice the Attic’s line of contemporary jewelry. You thank God you didn’t miss it altogether (lost in your child-like glee). Trendy, unusual, and extremely stylish. The best part, you get a bucket-load because everything is between 800-3000 bucks!!

Footwear that includes Flip Flops, Thongs and Gladiators (below INR 2400), all in peculiar, unique and bright colors, tops off your shopping; and you have got yourself a whole new wardrobe. You might even be tempted to pick up a few things for your loved ones, perhaps for your home, and lessen the burden of guilt! Its only possible at the Attic. Self-indulgence, and then some indulgence to counteract the former!

Before You Know It…

You get a phone-call. Its your boyfriend. He’s almost certain you’ve stood him up on your lunch date! Little did you realize you have been at the store for nearly two hours!! Yet again, the solution is ‘in-house’. You pick up a breezy cotton shirt (make-up gift) and head out of the Attic (by now the term ’store’ for your new favorite place seems almost offensive), hands full of bags with their goodies. As you make your way back, hoping to salvage your fledgling lunch date (at tea-time), you are left with one thought alone. You have befriended the friendly people at the Attic, and found your secret hunting ground for ‘affordable luxury’. True to its name, the Attic is indeed, a treasure-trove of bespoke delights, at amazingly ‘homely’ prices!

[Kartik Bajoria, a regular contributor, runs his own creative agency called BOLD & is also involved in Films & Music as a force of habit!]

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