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.
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The massive store completed at a lightning speed of over four months imitated the speed of the cheetah. Perhaps that’s why, the fastest animal on earth became the brand’s spirit animal evident in the store interiors — from massive earthen pots painted with its imageries, terracotta sculptures, and cheetah-print ceilings to its drawings in recessed wall alcoves. “We’ve always believed that luxury is as much about the experience as it is about the product. At this store, we’ve created a sense of luxury by giving a feeling of warmth and comfort,” says Gupta adding, “the interiors of our new store are an immersive extension of the Gazal Gupta. We worked with artisans to incorporate hand-done elements into the space such as hand painted fall ceilings, mirrored arches, double high-ceilings and customised inlays. Every corner of the store is designed to evoke a sense of timeless elegance just like our clothes.”
We took a walk-through beneath the store’s wide arches that felt as ceremonial as its bridal couture and prêt lines on display. “You will find our classic silhouettes, intricately embroidered lehengas, tailored saris, and modern anarkalis. We are also excited to unveil our first menswear collection, and we’re absolutely thrilled!” says Gupta.
The Closet Opens
The store also featured the label’s newest collection The Closet. It marked its debut in menswear alongside women’s prêt collection featuring Western silhouettes like cheetah-printed shirts, co-ords, slit dresses, tunics, satin body-cons and more. “Menswear for us was a very natural progression and people around us have encouraged us to take the leap. So with the new large format of the store, we found the perfect spot for the launch. The Closet collection follows the mantra of no fuss, no brainer yet high on style picks that help you to effortlessly grace whatever the everyday occasion you have in your life. The colours are basal yet solid like blacks and ivories with a tint of colour. The ensembles feature our signature Cheetah motifs in gold with noir floral prints done on winter fabrics like matka silk and silk velvets,” adds the Delhi-based designer.
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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.
