Welcome to Orientation

If Bandra’s hip female folk were to hang their favourite fashion finds in one walk-in wardrobe, we wouldn’t want to get out of that closet. Buy-sexual or not.

So naturally, we had big hopes pinned on Armoire (French for wardrobe), a two-day old women’s fashion store at Union Park that aims to stock a random mix of clothes and accessories, just like you would  find in someone’s cupboard. We visited to explore the gay assortment “from here and there” and let’s just say that a lot of the cool Bandra girls didn’t contribute.

The L Word

It’s easy to walk into this L-shaped store and be hit by the gaudy glare of Indian clothes, so we suggest you look to your right first. Here you’ll see a darling sky blue mini hat clip with black veil (see photo) that’s perfect for the racing season or to wear to Olive Bar & Kitchen, a stone’s throw away. A fun buy for Rs 1,600, there was just one piece so we put it back on the shelf for you. There’s even a pretty Kalamkari scarf with beaded ends and elegant wire and stone neck pieces. Also, pin down the plate of cool-ugly animal brooches - glittery, stoned bugs, antelopes, giraffes and rabbits (start at Rs 1,000) – that are a wild way to discipline those sari pleats.

The apparel racks are less interesting, featuring a section of blah crochet tops that look like something you’d find at an export surplus store and an avoidable range of net and sequined Indian clothes by Delhi-based designer Bhavna Bhatia. Brighter spots include psychedelic satin dress with sexy back by store owner/designer Jessie Sandhu and cool pants and cropped jackets, quilted and embroidered, by Copenhagen brand Luxury. Jessie told bpb she hopes to add new additions to this Armoire as often as she can, and also use the space to feature more upcoming designers from around the world.

In fact, a new shipment is expected from Paris this evening. Not off the backs of Les Miserables, we hope. Want our advice? Pull a rabbit brooch out of a baby blue derby hat and buy both.

Getting there: Armoire, shop no 4, next to Olive Bar & Kitchen, Union Park, Khar (W), call 65611541, Rs 2,200 for quilted pants.