t2 had a blast savouring some great grub, and finding some hidden gems at Chivas Glassware presents The India Story — A Neotia Arts Trust Initiative, with t2. The Farmer’s Market as well as the food court and a special zone called The Oasis by Sprig & Wine were buzzing spaces that combined shopping with some much-needed downtime, and t2 was there to track it all. Highlights...
Fun/ctional: This brand is making the best of good old cork. One of the major things is that cork is a very sustainable element. You don’t have to cut the tree down to create it, it’s also very durable, waterproof and anti-bacterial. The brand deals in tableware, bathware, deskware and gifting.
O&O Beauty: With its SPF and paraben-free products, this is a cosmetic brand based in Delhi. Our favourite part was the multi-purpose all-over globes in different shades that could be applied as blush, lip tint as well as eyeshadow.
House of Hemp: The Calcutta based brand creates sustainable garments made using hemp fibre. This mom-and-toddler twinning set caught our eye.
Gourmestan: Gluten-free treats from Gourmestan were quite the crowd-puller with items such as sorghum loaves, tarts and cakes and their famous flavoured cheese which comes in combinations such as Cranberry Pistachio Truffle, Truffle and Pepper among others.
BRANDS WE LOVED
Goomti: A beautiful pop-coloured boat was the attraction at Goomti’s stall. The brand had many bespoke gifting items on display. The art-centred organisation from the city believes in carefully curating memorable gifts. It wants to change the way people perceive art in daily life.
Foamo: For those on the lookout to make bathtime fun for both kids and adults, the funky and cute bath products at Foamo were a delight. From bath bombs to soaps, and accessories, they had it all.
Butterfly Bath and Bubbles: The brand owned by Calcutta girl Shweta Malpani boasts of skin, hair, and bath care products using zero chemicals and a hundred per cent natural approach. We loved this holiday-themed bath candle that’s a great addition to any home.
Noel: Founded by Calcutta boy Yashvardhan Agarwal, Noel Chocolat aims at curating edible art for gifting and hampers using single-origin chocolates. The brand also does pop-ups and serves some mean hot chocolate too.
NOM NOM
Colab Coffee: We take a lot of pride in our coffee since it’s roasted and ground to perfection to brew a perfect cup of joe! We also take pride in our handcrafted Neapolitan pizzas, with an array of interesting toppings with freshly sourced ingredients from all over the world. We are a community-driven space, we pay a lot of importance to sustainability, that’s been the core concern for both the owners. The cafe has a rustic vibe and each inch of it is eco-friendly and materials used to do up the space are totally sustainable,” said Natasha Suri and Vinay Manglani, co-owners, Colab Coffee, a hit spot for some caffeine kick at TIS.
Freshly brewed cappucino and Avocado Toast at Motherland Cafe were a great combination. We loved diggin into this plate.
MOODS AND MOMENTS
To buy or not to buy! Poet and writer Karuna Ezra Parikh checks out some envelopes and journals.
Three’s company! These young guns stopped by the installation at The Oasis by Sprig & Vine, a special segment that explored the amalgamation of modern design philosophy with Indian craftsmanship.
WHAT THEY LOVED
“The India Story featured an impressive collection of traditional and contemporary clothing for men, women, and children. From elegant saris and suits to trendy dresses and cords, the exhibition had something for everyone. The food stalls were impressive, with a wide variety of international and Indian cuisine on display. From sushi rolls and pasta dishes to biryanis and sweets, the food was prepared by expert chefs using the freshest ingredients. The attendees were treated to a gastronomic delight that left them wanting more,” said Rashmi Saraogi (right) who had a great time with friend Jyoti Saraf.
For entrepreneur Sweta Dhanuka, it was a “magical experience. The India Story is easily Calcutta’s most awaited story of food, shopping and entertainment”.
“The fashion and lifestyle collection this year at India Story was fantastic along with an excellent curation in the Farmer’s market; we had a great time,” said Shikha Jain (left) who owns city-based bakery Crumb & Co. who was spotted with friend Pragati Daulatramani.