Changing of the Guards

No longer will tweens throng the upper level of this Lower Parel mill, sucking down sodas and knocking down pins. There will be no more air hockey or soggy fries, the incessant beeping of video games. But still, there will be play.

Bowling Company at Phoenix Mills has been replaced by Brit-based Hamleys, one of the most popular toy stores in the world. We went eagerly to the opening this past Saturday, hoping to be reunited with a life-size stuffed giraffe that one of us Scouters had decided to adopt while visiting the London flagship at age 7, and who had been ultimately abandoned due to relentless parental disapproval. We didn’t find him, but made acquaintances with various other animals, including countless species of bear (bean, brown, band), snakes, monkeys and a seriously irresistible snowy owl.

Mindful of Diesel’s core competency and totally denim-starved - many things are easy in this city, but finding a good pair of jeans is not one of them - we made a bee line for this brand new outpost of the international chain at Palladium. And we hit pay dirt: stone washed and graffitied, skinny and frayed, here was a wall full of pants you could build your entire wardrobe around (Rs 7,000 to Rs 22,000). Satisfied, we strolled towards the men's section next, not knowing that our seduction had just begun.

Coating Rituals

It started out innocently enough, as most affairs do: footsie with a pack-of-3 socks and harmless flirting with cool linen shirts (Rs 5,000). But before we knew it, we were feeling up the irresistibly soft tees (Rs 4,000) and were all over the hot jackets, including the coveted Leart Giacca leather version (Rs 30,000). It’s a good thing that studly helmets (Rs 17,000) with leather detailing were around for extra protection.

What: USB beer cooler at Maple - Apple Premium Store, Kamal Society, opposite National College, Linking Road, Bandra (W), call 40068888, Rs 1,950.

Why: Along with Apple products, this just-launched store stocks other seriously cool gadgets as well. bpb pick: a single-can retro beer fridge that you can plug into your laptop or car. Stella idea!

When: You want to drink and pen drive.

What: Shirts in a tea bag from Masala Tees, order online at http://ebook.masalateecollection.com/ebook.html or call +91 9910931043, also available at Bombay Electric, Colaba, start at Rs 1,200.

Why: The packaging of a Malasa Tee is so adorable (an oversized tea bag), that you almost won’t want to open it. One look at the shirt inside, though – soft, cleverly illustrated and punctuated by odd jewels – and you’ll be glad you did. They come in men and baby sizes too.

When: You like it Earl grey or black, but not (t)oolong.

It seems about right that an outdoor adventure store would crop up bang on the wild intersection just before Bandra station, where a helmet, a rescue knife and a harness could actually come in good use. And it was at exactly this spot that Bangalore-based Wildcraft launched its flagship Mumbai store three days ago. 

Tent to Be

Impressively designed with sleeper wood panels and an actual forest picnic table, the interiors of Wildcraft makes you want to camp. The current stock unfortunately, doesn’t light our bonfire.

What: Bucket seat by Tokri, to order call Manisha Mehta on 9867756911, also available at Attic, Santacruz (W), Rs 3,200.

Why: bpb loves these colourful cast iron buckets-turned-poufs. Not to be paired with your shower curtain.

When: You want balti-more. 

A cobalt blue Rama poised to shoot his arrow at an intricately patterned Ravana; a gorgeously geometric Sita embellishing her hair; forests full of mutli-coloured deities, brilliant bursts of angular armies, demons being devoured by hungry orange flames: Supervising animator and storyboard artist at Pixar Animation, Sanjay Patel’s latest graphic novel Ramayana: Divine Loophole, is truly worship-worthy.

What: Heartbreaker necklace, Bungalow 8, 17 Arther Bunder Road, Colaba, Rs 1,500.

What: These 3D heart pendants in swirling, luscious colours – red, purple, black, ochre -  are deceptively simple, and bound to draw every eye in the room.

When: You want to be the Queen of Haars.

What: Bespoke psychedelic leather and suede jackets for men and women from Dress Dada by Saurabh Dwivedi and Mehma Tibb, call 9833419303 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Rs 8,000 onwards.

Why: Suit up for your trip down the rabbit hole with Wonderland-esque leather and suede coats by Parsons graduate and movie stylist Mehma. These come embellished with customised pockets, metallic linings and chunky zippers.

When:  You want to go pocket-watching.

What: Made-to-order psychedelic travel bags by Maverick Inc, call Priya Bohra on 9820374284 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , view the Facebook group here, start at Rs 2,000.

Why: Trip out with these happy trolley bags sporting jazz trumpets, star bursts and airplane doodles. You can even have them customised with prints that suit your case.

When: You want to be a high roller.