Inside Gazal Gupta’s New Flagship Dhan Mill Store Where Vintage Maximalism Meets Baroque Grandeur

On a rainy September night, we found ourselves in one of the toniest pin codes of Delhi, The Dhan Mill. The plush compound, that on any given night is drowned in murmur and chatter of luxury shoppers hopping from one luxury retail store to another with their arms laden with glossy shopping bags, had a new attraction. A 5000 ft.² bungalow of two floors with a white 100-foot palatial facade pulled the crowd in with its magnetic vintage charm.

Outlook Luxe was at the launch of designer Gazal Gupta’s grandest flagship store in Delhi, The GG Bungalow. With this store being Gazal Gupta’s 7th outpost in Delhi-NCR, the designer says that the capital’s deep appreciation for craft, couture, and culture makes it a perfect luxury retail spot. “It’s a city where tradition meets modernity, and that reflects in the way people dress. There’s a refined understanding of luxury here, one that values heritage, but also embraces innovation. Our clients in Delhi are discerning; they don’t just buy fashion, they invest in pieces that tell a story,” Gupta tells us. As the brand joins other luxury stores in the vicinity such as Masaba Gupta, Ritu Kumar, Papa Don’t Preach, Satya Paul amongst others, we take you on a tour about what sets it apart.

Old World Charm

The store went beyond a mere showroom to create a sensorial experience. Entering inside we were enchanted with an olive tree placed at the central courtyard. It accentuated the old world charm of the bungalow-style store. Further 25-foot high arches rooted in classical design, evoked the beauty of heritage palaces indicating that Gazal Gupta’s creations are as much rooted in tradition as they’re about modern luxury.

Classic at heart

Looking at the store from the upper floor gave us an aerial view of all the classic architectural elements. Baroque-style candle stands illuminated the corners while crystalline chandeliers hanging from the tall ceilings took us back to the French Regency era. Vignettes from the past such as portraits of horse-riding men and classical architecture of Greece and Rome featured on black-framed photographs in a captivating contrast on the of white walls. With these details, the store stood as a mansion of understated yet classic luxury doing away with trends, ostentatious décor and eye popping colour. “When we started in 2015, luxury was often equated with excess more embroidery, more embellishment. Over the years, the definition of luxury has matured. Today’s buyer is far more conscious and values meaning over opulence. They ask: Who made my garment? What story does it tell? Authenticity, sustainability, and emotional connection have become key pillars,” the designer tells us on how her brand has evolved in the last 10 years.

Personally too, Gupta remains rather “fixated” on classics. “I find it so hard to replace the Chanel No.5, or the simple Rolex Datejust which has been on my wrist since my marriage. Infact my makeup is also reserved for evenings or outings and my own closet is brimming with Gazal Gupta. Whether it’s prints or solids, if I create a suitable silhouette for myself then I tend to stick to it for a long time. All these habits of staying loyal to the classics also help me to make fewer choices in the morning,” the designer says candidly.