The Guide goes style scouting at two spanking new multi-designer stores in town Ahamm and Design Vault
The Guide goes style scouting at two spanking new multi-designer stores in town Ahamm and Design Vault
Charming changing rooms, for a change
While most snazzy shops overdo the interiors, they miss on small, significant details like the changing room. Ahamm, however, hits the jackpot here. The intricately done jaali doors lead you up a flight of stairs that open up into a place that looks like a lovely ladies' lounge. Natural light, filtered through an ambient cascade, adds a subtle glow. Sister duo Sonali Kochar Pahwa and Maanisha Kocha have got it grand yet gentle.u00a0u00a0 
"The reason behind choosing Khan Market was to make it easily accessible to all the age groups, and keeping in mind pocket constraints, the collection starts at Rs 5,500 and go on to Rs 90,000," says Sonali. You can choose from 15 designers from Delhi and Mumbai, with each creation being handpicked. If you're finicky about the names, Siddhartha Tytler, Rocky S, Falguni and Shane Peacock, Manish Malhotra, Preeti Chandra, Raakesh Aggarvwal, Cherie D and Manisha Kochchar have taken up the responsibility of updating the perky pret section that offers both day and evening wear. The couture section on the upper level offers party wear, formals, trousseau and other contemporary styles by designers Manish Malhotra, Pallavi and Bhairavi Jaikishen, Vikram Phadnis, Gaurav Gupta, Flaguni and Shane, Manisha Kocchhar, Ekta Singh and Kartikeyan and Isha. We recommend the short kurtis (Rs 5,000 upwards) and casual suits (Rs 9,000 upwards), apart from pretty pru00c3u00aat saris (Rs 25,000 upwards) and cocktail dresses (Rs 15,000 upwards).
There is also a variety of accessories like shoes from Rinaldi and bags by Kanika Chawla. The clothes speak for themselves, and designer section has been given ample space, so you can walk around easy as you explore their rich stocks. The large changing rooms are reminiscent of a personal boudoir. You can carry as many pieces as you want, and drape a saree comfortably. No one to breathe down your neck. Or bother you with being quick.u00a0
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Ahamm
Where: 57 Khan Market
Ring: 65191290
Lavish leftovers
Owned by businesswoman Tina Tahiliani Parikh and her designer bro Tarun Tahiliani, Designer Vault retails 'unsold' clothes and accessories by biggies like Tarun Tahiliani , Rohit Gandhi, Rahul Khanna, Monisha Jaisingh, Varun Bahl, Rohit Bal, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Jean Paul Gaultier & Lanvin and Abraham & Thakore, apart from global giants Jean Paul Gaultier and the house of Lanvin. It offers discounts ranging from 20 percent to just a fraction of the original price. 
"The idea behind the discount store, modeled on the ones we have seen in Milan in Italy, is that every designer is always left with unused stock in their basements, at the end of the fashion season or if an export order is cancelled. We have sourced such stuff," explains Tina. But is Delhi game for leftovers? "In Italy, these shops are a favourite with bargain-hunters across the year. But yes, here there are several stigmas attached to unused stocks in the country. Indian buyers think unsold clothes are either damaged or not fit for sale. But we hope our new target segment will like it," says Tina. 
The stuff's good, even if two seasons old. As they say, trends change, but style stays.u00a0
Design Vault
Where: Ambavata Complex, Second Floor, Ward 1, No. 1091/1, Mehrauli
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