Cosmetic Fillers

Up until now, the home décor-dominated Raghuvanshi Mills was about buying that pretty, ornate, overpriced wardrobe. Now, you can find the stash to fill it with too. Holding its own in the cluster of furniture stores here is new entrant Shray, a multi designer fashion boutique that stocks mostly Indian clothes and accessories for women.

Marching Brands

Spread over 2,500 square feet, this grungy-chic space with undressed floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed lighting wires set the stage for summer’s bright cottons and chiffons. The designer roster here includes some fashion familiars - Namrata Joshipura, Swapan & Seema, St. Erasmus – and a host of new names.

We’re pretty convinced that every kind of occasion (and woman) can find something to wear at Shray. There’s flirty pastel anarkalis by Swapan & Seema and contemporary tunic tops and colourful cotton-silk kameezes by Namratha Joshipura;  Kolkata based Garo Designs’ boho-chic pieces and Anupama Bose’s simple pin-tucked cottons; reasonably priced Maheshwaris, season-appropriate Leheriya saris and Bollywood-esque sequined cholis with semi-transparent chiffon drapes.

A Pearl’s Best Friend

But what excited us most about Shray - other than the fact that there are few Indian fashion stores in Mumbai; and the jars behind the counter filled with old, dusty light bulbs - were the accessories. Shoppers, add to heart Jaipur-based Lala Tholia’s tribal-like silver necklaces with colored pictures of Indian Gods and London’s St.Erasmus’ African-Indian inspired intricate designs with acrylic flowers, pearls and Swarovski crystals covered in zari crochet. And finally, Jamini Alhuwalia’s rustic wooden bangles painted in bright colors and wrapped in black and white thread. bpb yarns for these!

We’re not saying that everything at Shray is spectacular, but you won’t need an archeologist to excavate fun finds here. One breezy round of the store and you’ll spot  a pair of earrings for work, a last minute kameez for Diwali and a pretty sari for a good friend’s wedding.  Once again, wardrobes are available on your way out of the mill.

Psst: In other Raghuvanshi Mill news, Good Earth is launching a kiddie clothing line called Gum Drops soon.

Getting there: First floor, Raghuvanshi Mansion, Raghuvanshi Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, call 40047800, Rs 5,800 for a leheriya sari, jewellery starts at Rs 180.