We're partial to products which have a tale to tell. Our friend has a vintage hand mirror which she swears was once used by Audrey Hepburn while filming Breakfast at Tiffany's. We might almost have something to beat that, if you consider geography as a plus point. Bring Home Stories—a collective of creative people showing Delhi through videos—has recently launched a product line inspired by Delhi's phool mandi. Holly goes lightly!

Summer: A Time For Bloomers

The Phool Mandi exhibition shows photos and videos featuring the people behind Delhi’s famous century-old flower market, and now the first city-inspired design range. A line of waistcoats, jamas (how royal!), cushions, lamps and accessories plus prints of photographs will soon be available for sale online and in retail stores. Designed by Italian fashion photographer Valerio Ascoli and UK-based artist Paul Liptrot, the products have been brought out by Gulabo Chhap, the same guys behind the very cool Rroboska clothes for men we’ve mentioned earlier.

What we're loving about the good folks at BHS is how they stayed true to the theme without resorting to cheesy devices. There is the solo cyclist print on the cushion cover (Rs 2,500 onwards) carrying just a handful of flowers, a royal blue jama with a delightful sprinkling of yellow sunflowers on the sleeve, quirky eye masks. There is an odd sprinkling of flowers on the button of a plain khaki waistcoat (Rs 2,800 onwards), but it was the tall lamp which we fell in love with. We could imagine ourselves sitting next to it, with a new book, waving hello to summer. Paint us hippies and give us some daisies for our hair.

Getting There: Watch their Facebook page for the impending launch. Rs 2,800 onwards for a waistcoat.

What: Mithai-inspired cushions and quilts by Safomasi, available online and at Artisan Luxe, Meharchand Market, prices start at Rs 1,500 for a small cushion. 

Why: Artist Sarah Fotheringham, currently a designer at W+K, spent several years travelling around India, drawing pictures of various mithai. With the help of her boyfriend and business partner, she began to print these on cotton to turn them into fun colourful cushions—both floor and small—as well as quilts. Her current collection includes some very pretty camels from the Pushkar fair, and she plans to introduce rugs soon, with illustrations from Japan. Fun fact: the name Safomasi comes from their names—Sarah Fotheringham and Maninder Singh. Duo over? 

When: You want to let the katli out of the bag.

It’s been hard to track down En Inde’s pretty rope and metal jewellery, unless you make an appointment to visit a studio or manage to bump into them at one of the many stalls around town. Playing hard to get works for us though, and we covet a bunch of their pieces—from this brass cuff to this choker-necklace with hot pink rope. bpb ran into them at the Design One exhibition at the Lodhi Hotel and heard some welcome news: the label will soon be opening a store in Meharchand Market.

The market, which is swiftly becoming a less chaotic Hauz Khas Village (Sugar Blossoms Cake Studio just opened, and Pero to open soon), will host a large concept store, called En Inde Space in the next few weeks. Expect a curated section of designers, a Le Mill homeware section, and of course, their gorgeous inspired pieces. Later, the store will also have an in-house furniture and lifestyle section. While we’re waiting, we’re making a shopping list in our heads, a metal charm necklace for our next birthday? Yes, please.

Getting there: Opens in mid-March, 125/126 Meharchand Market, visit www.eninde.com, Rs 9,800 for a silver and wood bracelet.

What: Fake water faucets and more on www.Giftloop.it, Rs 2,700

Why: We at the bpb office cringe each time someone says ‘e-store’, but we’re willing to give the newly launched Gift Loop a chance. Why? Because this voyeur’s guide to gifting not only curates fun products from international partner vendors that ship to India, but also lets you view, steal and buy users’ sexy gift wishes from around the web. Bow Derrick! We loved the fake water faucet, whiskey stones and bamboo Mac Book case.

When: You need to compile a present-ation.

What: Darth Vader fine art print from Arrested by Art, call 26521147, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Rs 999 (shipping extra).

Why: The Sun was our favourite tabloid in London, for when we wanted to read trashy stories posing as breaking news. Imagine our delight when we find a fine art print of Darth Vader under the masthead of The Sun, with the words Gotcha emblazoned across. Made available by Arrested by Art, this print is one among several, including some fun New Yorker covers. Roller poster?

When: You want to Vader the storm.

The newest kid on ‘D(ee) block’, Defence Colony is the week-old Samant Chauhan flagship store. But don’t let that mislead you: the native Bihari designer has more than been around the block, graduating from NIFT and showcasing his collections on the runways of Paris, Milan and New York. ‘Now,” as his petite, all-black clad wife plus store manager tells us, “he has come back to the Indian market because there is just so much potential here.”

Mark Tulle

Chauhan may be back home, but he still professes a deep aversion for “Delhi bling”. As we make our way around his compact-but-bright space, we see clearly the designer’s signature look, which surrounds us in model-size, model-length proportions, making us wish that we had: a) worn platform heels or b) not eaten that additional sandwich.

The classic Chahaun piece is a lengthy, empire-cut dress/long tunic/gown which induces a regal warrior-esque feeling. Each piece is originally executed on light silk or Chanderi fabric from Madhya Pradesh, with suggestive embroidery at the cleavage or bust-line. In most of Chauhan’s clothes, one comes to realize that zardozi gold plays the part of innovation against otherwise matronly white: in one memorable piece, a thick Banarsi band is unexpectedly used to invoke reversed bra padding against a milky hue.

In the Closet

Aside from the select number of garments displayed at Chauhan’s store, we get a peek into the realization that he does a lot more than make just larger-than-wife women’s clothes. Apparently, his “real calling” is menswear, stored away “somewhere.” We also spy half-hidden leather accessories including soft messenger bags that need to be brought upfront, but maybe of a different store.

“We plan to do prêt sometime too,” we hear upon departure. “Exciting,” we reply, but are preoccupied with the thought that we have found what to wear to our upcoming hip sufi night party.

Getting there: D-4 Defence Colony, opposite Habibs, Rs 28,000 a dress.

This story was contributed by Meher Varma, who looks at clothes, aesthetics and beauty through rose-tinted anthropological lenses.

Part of WETHEPPL, NorBlack NorWhite is one of our favorite design labels, and we often wish they did an updated line of clothes. They're not quite there yet, but here's a next best thing: all of their women's clothes as well as Camiz shirts for men just went on sale, featuring discounts up to 50%. 

Here are five yummy things to look out for, as you raid their online store:

Black tasseled tank top with sheer orange yolk: We first spotted this as a dress sample, in Bombay Electric over a year ago. It made us feel like we were dancing on a table at Gatsby's party. 

Green Maliwali jumper: If you can pull off jumpsuits (we've never been able to), this one is a good bet, because it combines two of the biggest trends this season - pajamas and jumpsuits. 

Two-toned Diamond dress: We own this particular dress, and promise that it'll be the most useful thing you own.

The Architect Camiz Shirt: This unisex navy and sky shirt further feeds our current obsession with blue. 

Zardozi Tights: It's getting a bit warm for these babies, but you can always save them for next year.

Happy shopping!

Getting there: Visit www.wetheppl.com, approximately Rs 10,000 for a tasseled top.

We Stumbledupon Simple Castle, a recently launched online shopping portal where pop art, kitschy stationary, exotic lotions, customised vinyls, jewellry all live together. Launched and run by Nicolette Bird of the Rock On fame, the website houses esoteric products sourced by her during her travels. Nicolette tells us that it was during her travels to Tokyo, New York and Paris that she decided to handpick and share her favorite pieces. 

Here's the arc our imagination took while we trolled the website. One of our walls would house Louis Armstrong in all his glory, the lamp cat cabaret on the dresser would conjure strange shadows, all the while we sipped liqueur from our lover's sake set. We'd crank up the good times with our Simon and Garfunkel vinyl, grooving while moisturizing to Tokyomilk's Dark Times.

Scratch the Surface

Nicolette's favorite picks: a reproduction of Roy Lichtenstein's M-Maybe, Parisian table cloth mats, the what's pink sling bag and Ises. K Mockingbird ear cuffs. Simple Castle has another cool feature: Send them an email of the vinyl record you're looking for, and they will find it to you and quote a price. If happy with price, you can then order said record. Unfortunately, they don't have a made-to-order-boyfriend feature yet.

Getting There: Shop online. Rs 6,080 for Oil on Canvas-Louis Armstrong.

What: Indoor Safari Swing from FabFurnish, buy it here, Rs 2,899,

Why: At any given point, the bpb office is filled with all kinds of animals – three fake birds, one Mail Chimp and hardworking mules who may or may not turn feral at night. And so as we redecorate,  it only makes sense that we replace our old cane swing with this cool Safari one. Well-priced and compact enough to fit in your home too, this Safari seat has a capacity of 104 kgs. Hippos, are you listening?

When: You want (Seren)geti Images

These are our version of a superhero costume: super comfy pajama bottoms scattered with fierce ninjas, which we have lounged at home in, fought crime in them, and even worn them out to lunch - just tuck in a crisp white shirt, off-set them with a martini glass and you'll get away with it (at least in Hauz Khas Village). 

Designed by the very fun online store, Pajama Project (they tell us they design for for Darth Vader, Suppandi and Kiki), these come in four different sizes with elastic waists and a faintly embarrassing heart-print as well. Look out for a new line, which launches next month - clearly no Darth of a muse here!

Getting there: View The Pajama Project here, buy online here,  pajama bottoms start at Rs 575.