1Q84 vs. 400050

En route to a Tokyo with two moons – this Scouter acquired a copy of Murakami’s new novel 1Q84 yesterday - a stop had to be made in Bandra to check out Bohemian Rock Star, a new men’s fashion store. We imagined ourselves hurrying through a pedestrian lot of jeans, tees and ties all the while thinking about a bizarre bounty of talking cats, vanishing women and enchanted sleepers we could be browsing instead.But we stayed longer, perhaps fascinated by a white gas mask on the mannequin that suddenly seemed to admit this Hill Road store into Murakami’s cloudy world (Remember Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack?). Surely, stranger things have happened at Hill Road.

The Asia Tour

This mask, along with other interesting but not-for-sale products - mini slot machines and guitars, Elvis paraphernalia and a red couch shaped like a palm- can be found at this store whose stock comes from all over Asia. While the PVC jackets, Hendrix tees and skinny black ties live up to the ‘Rock Star’ in its moniker, the ‘Bohemian’ bit is coming soon, we were told, as is the upstairs ladies section.  View product slideshow here.

Ignore the strange jackets we say, and go straight for the crowded rack of tees (probably the sole reason to visit), where patient browsing will yield fun ones sporting vintage cars, sunglasses, Elvis Presley and a gentleman in a gas mask (start at Rs 300). But for every nice tee, there’s an Ed Hardy-ish snug fit that just shouldn’t be worn by grown men. Also expect to find export surplus shirts (start at Rs 400) from brands like Diesel, Emporio Armani and Guess – see white one with nautical detailing.

Ask to see the shoe-shaped back pack just for laughs (unless you’re the doormat variety, in which case you belong together), but really spend your money on board shorts from Billabong and Quiksilver for Rs 500 each. Probably those real-fakes again. There are also boxers and briefs, canvas shoes and a skinny collection of satin skinny ties.

Ginseng Boys

If the owner’s around when you visit, he’ll probably tell you about his film styling-acting stint, but not without offering you a cup of his favourite Clare’s, Japanese tea with ginseng and Oyster extract. Mr Murakami would approve.

View product slideshow here.

Getting there: Bohemian Rock Star, shop no 8, Natraj, Hill Road, next to Tart, Bandra (W), call 9821081194, tees start at Rs 300.