Z to A

Aza, Amara, Ananya, Attic – joining the A-list multi-designer fashion stores in Mumbai is Atosa, apparently named after a Persian princess. Founded by the ladies behind the recently shut down Zoya, this new Bandra boutique stocks a nice but mainstream collection of dresses, tunics and accessories.

Fit and Fine

Housed in a bungalow previously leased out to Watson Fitness, Atosa exchanges treadmills for pretty mirrors, fitting rooms for lockers and dumbbells for well, dumb belles of another sort. Racks here are beefed up by garments from well-known (read: over-exposed) designers like Masaba Gupta, Nachiket Barve, Wendell Rodricks, Priyadarshini Rao; and also less familiar brands like Myoho and Ravage, as well as South Asian labels Desmond Yang, All Dressed Up and Chai Gold.

Different Cuts

All these designers, however, aren’t equal in the eyes of Atosa: browsing through, we wished we could see more by Wendell Rodricks (only two tunics were spotted) and Masaba Gupta, and drastically shrink the rack displaying Anuj S’s dismal line of bandhini dresses and Nachiket Barve’s done-to-death ombre maxis.

Our showstoppers included a grey and white tunic with high slits by Priyadarshini Rao, which we bought for an upcoming Goa trip (this weekend, baby!); All Dressed Up’s fun black and pink printed dress; and summer friendly off white short number with flower cut outs by Myoho.

If you’re looking for Indian wear, check out Preeti Jhanwar’s vibrant display of kurtis, and a black salwar kameez by Shivang, highlighted with a striking red border. This would go nicely with an intertwined gold neckpiece by Rohita, also on display.

Finishing Touch

As was the case with its predecessor Zoya, Atosa isn’t going to blow the doors off your wardrobe. It is however, one more place you can visit while searching for a perfect brunch dress or outfit for the hundredth wedding of the season, which, like this store will be mostly ho-hum but might bring you a sudden flash of pleasure.

Getting there: Aman Villa, 6B, Anand Vihar Co-operative Society, 20^th Khar Road, Khar, call 26420888; tunics start at Rs 4,000.