23 November,2010 09:45 AM IST | | Anjana Vaswani
This boutique virtually showcases snobbery on its window display. Plus, it is tr s expensive. But if you have a passion for fashion and a budget for brands, you can't give kitsch a miss
As we wait for the staff at the week-old store Kitsch to open its doors we gawk at a gorgeous lace dress in the window, trying to hazard a guess as to its price. It looks exorbitant. The whole place does. So much so, we find ourselves wondering if they have a dress code for shoppers.
We try not to think about the scene in Pretty Woman, when Julia Roberts is kicked out of a snooty Rodeo Drive boutique. We decide instead, to focus our mental energy on figuring out how and when the word Kitsch, once a derogatory term associated with tasteless art, came to be linked to high-end (and yummy) fashion.u00a0 Then, the irony strikes us -- how strange that a derivative of the German word Verkitschen, which refers to something being sold at a low price, has come to be associated with apparel that's exactly the opposite.
Our thoughts are interrupted by the amiable manager who let us in immediately, even though we've reached before opening hours and gave us a quick tour of the place. Kitsch stocks both, casual and formal wear, for men and women, with eye-popping labels including Lanvin, Moschino, Jean Paul Gaultier, Diane Von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, Alberta Ferretti, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Halston and Theory. "Sonam Kapoor was wearing a Halston dress she bought from our store on a recent episode of Koffee with Karan," offers Alok Shah, one of the partners of the enterprise, when he spots us admiring a stunning black sequin jumpsuit by Halston.
Priced at Rs 57,700, this is the stuff dreams are made of. A pair of stiletto-heeled ankle-boots (with a skull charm for the zipper) from the immortal King of Goth, Alexander McQueen (Rs 80,700) and a pair of thigh-high Stella McCartney boots (Rs 66,000) have now made it right to the top of our Christmas wish-list.
The men's range was just as impressive with suits from Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs and Lanvin. There are also sweaters, tees, trousers and wind-sheeters here. A cotton Love Moschino shirt, inspired by the Stars and Stripes (Rs 15,500), and Levi 501s designed by Jean Paul Gaultier (Rs 25,800) were some of the interesting buys in this section.u00a0
There are, however, some pieces whose inclusion in the store seems to defy reason. For instance, there are humdrum cotton skirts by Moschino priced at Rs 18,500 and equally plain white skirts from Alberta Ferretti's Philosophy line priced at Rs 18,300. Also, while the range of handbags and other accessories was impressive, some of the prices do take your breath away. Gorgeous as it was, a Python-leather bag we spotted (by Marc Jacobs) would set you back by a cool Rs 2,99,000.
All in all, the shop has something for everyone and in a decent spectrum of sizes. Based on their own ensemble, there's no denying that Kitsch's owners -- sisters Priya Chatwal and Charu Sachdev -- know style when they see it. And if one ever nurtured any doubts about their fashion sense, the collection at their new SoBo boutique should undoubtedly quash these.
Kitsch is located at 48, Dr VB Gandhi Marg, next to Sabyasachi, Kala Ghoda. Timing Open from 11 am, through the week Call 22687777
