Anita Dongre's Tranquil Flagship Store in Kala Ghoda, South Mumbai is an Ode to Elegance

Anita Dongre at Kala Ghoda, South Mumbai

Mumbai, February 2023.

A bright yellow structure with shiny teak balconies and colourful stained glass patterns is across the street from the Jehangir Art Museum and the old David Sassoon library.

Anita Dongre's new flagship store is located in the renovated ancient Sassoon Building; it is a tribute to craftsmanship, a nod to a bygone age, and a festival of contrasts that spans the decades.

"Bombay is my home, and the Sassoon building has seen every development in this city. We tried to preserve as much of the building's original character as we could throughout the restoration process. This included the stained-glass windows, wood beams and staircase, tiles, and so on. Basically, I was going for a look that combines 19th-century opulence with the chic simplicity of today. Bringing to life a plan to combine Indian handiwork and colonial architecture with works of art that reflect the bounties of nature has been an especially rewarding experience. I can't wait to see how people's sight, smell, touch, and heart react to this environment"

mentioned Anita Dongre.

The 200-year-old Sassoon Building is lovingly restored by Anita Dongre into 8,500 square feet of culture, legacy, and luxury.

As soon as you enter the building via the ground level entrance, you'll get a sense of peace. Step off the busy Dalal Street and onto the characteristic black and white marble flooring by Anita Dongre, inhale the rose scent, and feast your eyes on the handpainted pichhwai walls in shades of green and gold that showcase 200-year-old teak timbers. An open verandah in the style of a 'otla' peeks down from the level above, complete with cast-iron railings and stained glass based on designs from the 1800s that adorned the Sassoon building. There are Rajasthani jharokhas along the sides of this veranda.
On the first level, you'll find jewellery and Anita Dongre's recently released vegan accessories, all displayed against wallpaper that was made in-house and was inspired by the designer's embroidered designs.

The original Sassoon building had a simple ground floor and three stories above it, all of which could be reached via a beautiful wooden stairwell. You may ascend to the first level on this beautifully refurbished teak staircase, which has nature themes painted in rich gold pichhwai on an emerald green background. The 200-year-old metal work and wood framing provide a striking backdrop for the ready-to-wear line and Grassroot on this level.

On the upper level, you may find men's clothing set off by the pichhwai walls painted in grey and gold. A wall of balcony doors conceals some greenery, allowing light to flood in. Pictures taken before and after the fort's ramparts were taken down in 1865 demonstrate that the building's balconies were erected at that time.

The luxurious wood balcony is supported by cast iron columns topped with Corinthian capitals and coated with glazed tiles. The wooden balconies were lovingly brought back to life, the stained glass was meticulously reconstructed from ancient photographs, and original tiles were saved and new ones were made to fit the pattern during the restoration of this level. Here you may enjoy the rare pleasure of peace and solitude while gazing out over Kalaghoda and the Rajabai clock tower.

You can't help but be amazed as you browse the shop, both at Anita Dongre's utopian vision and at the exquisite handiwork that went into creating the store's flooring, cushions, and clothing. The lofty ceilings, oak flooring, and pools of light in this structure are accentuated by triptych mirrors, making the whole space seem more luxurious. But, the third level, known as the wedding floor, offers the utmost in luxury. When ascending the great staircase, you can see a domed wood ceiling just out of reach. Upon entering, one is greeted with a tikri wall that instantly takes one to exotic ballrooms and palaces, as well as richly embroidered lehengas bathed in dramatic light.

Anita Dongre's newest flagship shop in Mumbai's Kalaghoda art neighbourhood exemplifies how traditions that have been lost may find a home in the present day, whether they artistic techniques, architectural styles, or even ways of life.

Every inch of the 8500 square feet of Sassoon Building is given a new lease on life while celebrating the inherent and original elements of luxury, from hand-embroidered cushions to elephants embroidered on sheer curtains, restored metal and woodwork, and tiles and stained glass that recreate the grandeur of "Bombay" before the fort walls went down. You will leave this event with a sense of peace and independence.

Here, as if plucked from Anita Dongre's utopian fantasy, the natural world coexists with human handiwork, and the past blends seamlessly with the present.

The Address:

Anita Dongre, Sassoon Building, B Bharucha Rd,

Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001