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Minoti Sampat is getting ready for the launch of her posh new kids store at Juhu
called MAL. This multi designer store brings together high fashion designer wea
r for kids aged between 0 and 7 years, from well known and established designers
, all under one roof.
Minoti strongly believes that there is a huge market for kidswear in India. But,
she asserts that MAL caters to much more than just any kids’ products. On the ide
a behind MAL, Minoti says, “There was a great need for a boutique where children (
and their mothers can go) for the best Indian designer collections under one roo
f. The children’s designer wear market has been burgeoning with international desi
gners, and we felt that Indian designers were equally equipped and eager to crea
te collections exclusively for infants and toddlers. So really the need was felt
by both designers as well as our customers. This fact is not limited to just Mu
mbai alone, and eventually we hope to expand all over the country.”
The store boasts of collections from an extremely talented and renowned pool of
Indian designers who, after carving a niche for themselves in the adults wear se
gment, are now looking at entering the kidswear market. Designers like Raghavend
ra Rathore, Aneeth Arora, Noriealla Al Hariri, Pooja S, Zubair Kirmani, Masaba G
upta, Sonali Mansingka, HB Couture, Hema Patel Shroff and Alecca Carrano get set
to showcase their creations for the little ones.
The MAL store is in one of the prime locations in Juhu, Mumbai. This 2000sq ft s
pace has been divided into two sections: his and hers. The merchandise is displa
yed according to different age groups (from newborns up until 7 years of age) an
d the interiors of the store have been accessorized with appropriate category si
gnages. Each section will have a special occasion area which holds a unique coll
ection of items suitable for weddings, birthdays, or any other formal event. Fro
m tuxedos and bandhgalas, to dresses, salwars and lehengas, the options for crea
ting the perfect outfit for a child are here. The store also offers perfect outf
its to lounge in and sleepwear (including an Ayurvastra range) in order to cover
everything from simple, affordable pieces to high-end luxury.
MAL is designed to make shoppers feel welcome and unrushed while still keeping
the aesthetic sophisticated. As opposed to retailing outlets that want people to
get in and out quickly, MAL wants the customers to relax and linger to make the
best possible choice . The store is in almost-bodouir like setting (cupboards,
cribs, children’s vintage drying hangers, et al), so the customers and their chil
dren can pause and appreciate the clothes. A little garden with bluebells and fr
angipanis completes the comfortable and welcoming aesthetic for the little cus
tomers and mommies.
Says Minoti, “Our name – MAL is an abbreviation for Malmal which means fine soft cot
ton. MALMAL evokes so many different thoughts, soft, comfortable, pure, Indian j
ust like the range we stock at our store. Tracing back into history, malmal was
luxuriant and yet comfortable fabric perfect for climates like tropical India. O
ur store values reflect exactly that: rich Indian designer wear that is easily w
earable and perfect for Indian sensibilities. It was probably, the first choice
of cloth that a mother would want to swaddle her baby in, whether it is richly e
mbroidered Malmal Khas (that the royals preferred) or just the plain simple vers
ion of malmal. Similarly we have a truly varied yet handpicked collection from r
ich occasion wear to simple, classic designs.” She strongly believes that such an
idea will be welcomed with open arms by both mothers and children.
She talks about her plans of expanding this concept beyond Mumbai in the longer
run given the fact that there is a strong boutique culture spreading across Ind
ia.
Zubair Kirmani:
This collection primarily focuses on colour, fabric; comfort and extending the s
ignature look into kids wear, something simple yet eccentric. Fabrics are carefu
lly chosen to keep in mind kids wear, with attention to detailing, his garbs are
put the accent on intricate embroideries, planned patchworks, colour blocking a
nd geometric patterns which has been carefully transformed into simple and conte
mporary line for girls shift dresses, dresses even Indian outfits like kurta/chu
ridar, and for boys linen suits and kurta/churidar are in focus. And special lin
e of security blankets made from fine pashmina, silk velvet and crushed satin si
lk also will be witness in kid’s line.
Masaba Gupta:
Treading towards unchartered waters, Masaba admits that kids wear is a lot tough
er, “I never thought I would do a kids range as there is a lot of work involved.” Ca
tering to both the genders - from six month old toddlers to seven year olds, the
collection of frilly dresses, saris, sherwanis, drop crotch pants and shirts in
linen and ikat are the downsized version of Masaba’s Resort 2010 collection Don’t m
iss: Body suit with a tutu, the adult version of which was showcased at the rec
ent Autumn/ Festive Lakme Fashion Week as a body suit lehenga.
Sonali Mansingka:
Sonali s line for MAL includes fun dresses and tunics with sea animal silk brooc
hes (each outfit comes with an extra brooch so you can mix and match and play ar
ound) as well as a range of Indian wear created from kerala sarees.
Alecca Carrano :
Alecca has come up with a collection of children’s wear that has been directly ins
pired from the women’s wear collection. Most of the line is for girls in very happ
y and yet soft colors. The fabrics were translated into more comfortable cottons
and easily cared for materials. The collection’s look is easily recognizable as A
lecca Carrano due to the themes in embroideries as well as the shapes of the gar
ments.
Pink Cow
Pink Cow - Classic Designer Clothing offers vintage style dresses for little gir
ls with their own unique sense of fashion. Here you will find a wonderful select
ion of party and formal girls boutique clothes. PinkCow clothing collection lets
your little princess embrace her individuality with classic style!
‘MAL’ DETAILS:
STORE DETAILS:
MAL-The Store, 50 Bhagwat, 2nd NS Rd, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle West, Mumbai 40005
6
Tel: 022 65294424.
Email: malthestore@gmail.com, Website: www.malthestore.com