Everything about Mal spells elegance, comfort and sophistication. great news if you like dressing up your kid in designer wear
Everything about Mal spells elegance, comfort and sophistication. great news if you like dressing up your kid in designer wear
There is something about Mal that spells homely. It doesn't stem from the fact that it's nestled inside a spacious ground floor apartment. May be it's the stark walls contrasted with golden-hued lighting and old-style see-through wooden cupboards, stocked with colourful attire for kids. 
Zubair Kirmani's tuxedo (Rs 7,599). Comes with a pair of trousers
Or perhaps, it's the uncluttered boudoir-like space with the freedom to amble around or gaze into the teeny lawn in the courtyard. Whatever be your draw, the multi-designer kidswear store sports a relaxed charm that will appeal to all, even those outside the tiny tot category.
The month-old store brings together established brands for kids, many being downsized versions of the designers' original creations for adults. So, don't be surprised if it feels like dej vu when you spot Raghavendra Rathore's trademark bandhgalas and formals on your little prince. There's more Indian apparel in socialite Ramona Narang's Ibella baby couture range ufffd linen wraps and kurta pyjamas for girls and boys.
We fell in love with the flounce-y pink and purple tutu skirts from Zeenath Khan's Sophie Z Collection. Kashmir's Armani, Zubair Kirmani, makes appearances through security blankets made from fine pashmina, silk velvet and crushed satin silk. Though we have spotted Masaba Gupta's kidswear range in her store, her crazy colour combinations are here too, including fine readymade sarees, pleats et al, for pre-teens. Clothes from Masaba's Resort 2010 collection for the Lakme Fashion Week are also on sale in downsized versions ufffd frilly dresses, sarees, sherwanis, drop crotch pants, shirts in linen and ikkat.
Sonali Mansingka's pastel tunics that came with sea animal brooches (we heart the whale) had us sold. You will also spot Anupama Dayal's vibrant chaniyas, block print nightwear from Amba, bloomer sets by The Magic Cupboard, dolls and clothes by Pero.
For mammas-to-be, there are All by N scarves. The three-meter-long scarf comes with a huge V inserted halfway that neatly hides that baby bump. However, except a Burberry check-like pattern, we weren't too impressed with the rest of the largely gaudy, bling designs, some of which came with reptile prints.
Most clothes are organic with a super soft feel (like the store name suggests). The range is biased towards little girls and most of the stuff has a 5% added VAT apart from the high prices. Owner Minoti Sampat hopes to turn shopping at the store into an experience, with an occasional film screening, bespoke wear, a tea-party set-up in a corner as well as an art installation that will see a scarecrow with patches that kids can scribble upon. It's about time you stopped crinkling your eyebrows to mutter an "Aww".
ADVERTISEMENT
Atu00a0Mal ufffd The Store, 50, Bhagwat, 2nd NS Road, JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (W). Call 65294224. Open on all days: 11.30 am to 8 pm
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
