Calling all style hunters

Cocopelee is the latest addition to the city's burgeoning retail scene. But men will have to be content with carrying the shopping bags

Some of the best discoveries are made by accident. On an idle Saturday afternoon, a bumpy auto ride through Brunton Road led us to discover the three-month-old fashion boutique Cocopelee. Lest the name throws you for a loop, we are armed with an explanation. After all not everyone has a way with words like advertisement professional Poonam Jethwani who owns the store.


One-shoulder animal printed dress

Name calling
The name is a pun on Kokopelli, the south west American hunchbacked fertility deity who plays a flute. Poonam was expecting her second daughter, when she started working on the store. "Coco means chocolate, something every woman likes and Pelee is a Canadian island known for its wines. Both wine and dark chocolate are rich in antioxidants and release endorphins, the same effect shopping has on women," maintains Poonam who was toying with the idea of opening a boutique for five years.

All in a day's job
The 34-year-old is almost a super woman. She makes the rest of us look banal, inefficient and discomfortingly ordinary. Poonam juggles a hectic corporate life (she's been running the ad agency Questmedia Production for 12 years now), two cherubic kids and a store that's fast turning into a fashion destination to reckon with.

One for all
Cocopelee does not differentiate. It has something for women of all age groups, sizes and sensibilities. "It's for the five to the 90-year-olds. Initially I wanted it to be a kid's store. Later I thought, why restrict it to only kids. They eventually grow up," she reasons.u00a0

The 'Inside' Story
So a concept store for fashionistas of all age groups was born. The two-storeyed store with whitewashed walls has dollops of pink in the form of ruffled cushions and sofas. Hardly surprising given that Poonam has personally worked on the store for over a year giving attention to every detail. Go on to the second floor and you'll find a cart shaped glass table with a setee when your legs tire after some heavy duty shopping. It's incredible how an old house has been remodeled into a swanky boutique that stores merchandises from across the world. "Bangalore didn't have a high end boutique that caters to women of all age groups. The brands mass manufacture clothes. My stuff is so exclusive that everybody who walks in won't want to leave without anything in their shopping bags," says Poonam.

The stuff
As you enter, denim ballerinas (R 1,400) in green, salmon pink, grey and black with metal studs, are the first things to catch your eye. Right next to them are the pretty summer dresses in pink and blue (R 1,200), the party dresses and the wide brimmed sun hats (R 1,040), great for the derby.u00a0 The great thing about the store is that everything is displayed according to the design stories. So all the animal prints are clubbed together with matching bags, some of which even come with the very rare giraffe print. The one piece that truly stands out in the animal print collection is the leopard printed sleeveless party top in satin (R 5,000). Also, the black jumpsuit (R1,800) with a leopard print cotton belt, matched with a beaded necklace in the same print is statement making.

For the less adventurous, there are sleeveless multi-coloured cotton patch work tunics (R 1,400) and layered skirts in the same material that can be matched with their patent leather clutches(R 2,000). Scout for the Alice bands with satin flowers and bows (R 800) and the functional tic tac clips (R 350) that have been given an ultra feminine twist by attaching pretty cloth flowers to them. They also have rhinestone studded hair clips that go well with glitzy party wear. The accessories, mostly sourced from Bangkok and China, are expansive in their range. Belts, designer scrunchies with embellishment (R 250), bracelets (R 800), chandeliers, ear studs and chains make up the bauble corner.

A life size picture of an African American with cranberry lipsu00a0 stands right before the staircase that leads you to the second floor which mostly comprises kids wear and those things no woman can do without - heels. The collection for little girls actually make you want to go back to pre-school. Cutesy frocks, hair bands in candy colours, baby shoes in suede leather that weigh less than 100 gms and even prom dresses (R 3,700) in taffeta for the little ones form the collection. Additionally, there are fabulously cut kaftan dresses and a gorgeous chiffon black and white polka dot number (R 6,000). Think tea party following a round of golf.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

Happy feet
The nosebleed high heels (R 3,200) that intimidate you with their five-inch demeanour are certainly not for women who value comfort more than style. But if you are a true stylista, do pick up the ones that come with a hint of animal print on the bow. The wedges in multiple colours are also a good option. And even the salsa shoes in beige and black with pencil heels guaranteed to give you a great posture. Also, don't miss the brown ankle booties with crystal embellishment. Booties are the latest in footwear as Kim Kradashian will tell you. The shoes and bags are mostly handpicked from Italy.u00a0

Coming up
Cane basket bags, shades, hats, stocking, laptop and sling bags for little girls and the AW collection for women comprising stoles, jeggins, flats, blazers in mulmul cotton with Indian motifs. They go on a sale with discounts of upto 50 per cent from today and will soon start having coffee mornings. Online presence in the next two months, another store in Bangalore after a year and stores in Mumbai or Pune are all in the pipeline. "I eventually see it as a national brand," says Poonam.

Final verdict
The boutique is a must check-out for those who are done with the international brands in the city and are looking for something that the average Jane isn't wearing. The prices for some of the goods(clutches, for instance, which were picked up by Pooja Bhat on her visit to the store) and jewellery are slightly prohibitive. But the clothes made in house are a good bargain. Since they replenish stocks every three months, there's hardly any room for fatigue.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Where Cocopelee, 5, Brunton Cross Road
On from 10 30 am to 8 30 pm
Call 9844590700
For Rs 250 to R 6,000