Contemporary with a heritage spirit best defines Falguni Shane Peacock's flagship store in Calcutta. The 4,500sq ft retail destination on Lee Road has a quiet opulence about it. Done up in regal beige with touches of gold and black, the classic code prevails across the two floors. Designed by Gauri Khan, the store features a fireplace, Falguni Shane Peacock rugs and grand chandeliers that embody the luxury vein of the brand. There is a cosy neatness about it that we love. The collection is a lovely one that covers a broad spectrum of ready-to-wear, bridals and menswear in a palette comprising pastels, bright hues and shimmer and shine. Shane and Falguni, the husband-wife designer duo, chat with t2 about coming to Calcutta finally and why luxury "never changes".
Congratulations, Shane! The store looks lovely...
Thank you! When we were coming here, we were looking at a standalone place because all our stores, whether it is Hyderabad or Bombay or Delhi, are at a standalone place and we were looking at something to match with that. The facade has that old Calcutta look that we wanted. I think I am very happy. Gauri (Khan) is very happy and Falguni is very happy.
Gauri has designed our Bombay, Hyderabad and Calcutta stores and she is also designing The Dhan Mill (Delhi) store. She was very particular: 'Put peacock on your door'. In all our stores, we have the peacock right at the door. The wallpaper has our monogram. We want to be subtle and we do not want too much colour. The marble flooring and the chandeliers are the same in all our stores.
How special is it coming to Calcutta, Falguni?
We have some amazing memories of Calcutta because we have done so many shows here. Calcutta as a place has such amazing heritage. It's got the classic look which is still there whereas everything across India has modernised. So, it's a very inspiring city and after doing Bombay, Delhi and Hyderabad, this was the next step.
How long has it been in the making?
Shane: About two years from searching for a space. It took about 10 months to make.
Falguni: Even Kala Ghoda took us approximately two years, from start to finish because having the right location is the key. The way we have been able to create areas from the Kala Ghoda store and the Hyderabad store, with the ceiling and the detailing, I think that's what is the beauty of this place.
What about Calcutta makes you want to be here?
Falguni: Coming here was long overdue. I think it's going to be a great journey because I feel the market is ready for us and we have such a strong following in Calcutta.
Shane: I am actually super excited that I am ending the year with this Calcutta launch. My best friend is Bengali and he is like, 'Why aren't you opening in my city?' In our vision plan, Calcutta, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Bombay were always there. We were looking for the right location.... It's been a journey.
The collection you have launched with is so pretty...
Shane: We have made sure that people from Calcutta don't need to fly to Bombay or Delhi, because it's the same collection. We also do a lot of online sales. If you buy something online, you can come here (if you need any help). Everything is gravitating towards online.
We have the men's section. If you buy something and are here for your fittings, there is a section for you to sit, relax and do your trial. We felt the need for something like this. We even have a concierge desk because we believe that when you walk in, there should be someone to greet you.
We have our kurtis, more ready-to-wear and Anarkalis and then our Bridal One and Bridal Two. Bridal One is for someone who doesn't want to be over the top and Bridal Two is for the bride who wants to add more. And, we like to cater to all the brides because we want everyone to look pretty, luxurious and not dated. When you wear gold, five years down the line too it will look pretty. That's the ethos of Falguni Shane Peacock. You should always look on trend and not last season.
Falguni: I feel in the lehngas in the couture collection, we have given everyone so much variety that they don't need to travel to Bombay or Delhi.
How has your concept of a bride and a groom changed over the years?
Shane: All this time we were focusing on the international market. We started our mainstream bridal line in 2017. That gave us good foresight about what was not available in the market. People have evolved, travelled and want to see something different. We knew we could deliver something different for the modern bride.
It's amazing that someone who designs the most elaborately stunning outfits for a Beyonce or a Jennifer Lopez, also designs a pared-down sherwani! Let's get into your headspace...
Shane: (Laughs) We have different labels, like an advanced contemporary label which we are retailing from 40-45 stores internationally. Then we have our main label which we show at New York Fashion Week. Then we have Falguni Shane Peacock India, which is the bridalwear. We also have the Falguni Shane Peacock limited edition, a gold label, where we make one-of-a-kind and we don't repeat that. Then we have the Falguni Shane Peacock blue label, the men's line and the Falguni Shane Peacock, the Peacock label, which is the printed Indian label. When we are designing for a particular label, we get into that sensibility.
Wow! Coming to luxury, how has the concept changed?
Shane: Luxury never changes. It always upgrades. For our label too, we'd always like to upgrade. There is a lot of detailing in our clothes.
Falguni, what are investment pieces for winter weddings?
It would be about having a nice lehnga which you can tweak around with a nice blouse and repeat it. The idea is to be able to style it differently. A lot of monotones and metallics are there.
Looking lovely in blue, interior designer Gauri Khan, who has designed the store, took some quick questions from t2, when she was in town for the launch of the store.
Gauri Khan
Tell us a little bit about putting the store together...
The journey began six years back from Kala Ghoda (Mumbai) when we started designing the store there. The main work of design... their ideas, my concepts and what the brand stands for, all those were put together. We knew we were going to be opening multiple stores, like in Hyderabad, Calcutta and Delhi, going forward, like the chandeliers or the peacock detail or the layout or the inlay work, the FSP branding. The colours are black, gold and beige. While designing, we knew that we were going to take these design features to all the cities. As we go along, we need to have one design element from the city. We are working on that one special feature for Calcutta too.
What are your favourite corners in the store?
Every corner of the store has our signature touch — a tough choice for a favourite; but I would say the whole drama is in the facade. It looks grand and beautiful.
Gauri, you have also been here multiple times. Do you have a favourite Calcutta memory?
It’s always good to come back to Calcutta, I remember being captivated by the city’s rich cultural tapestry, heritage, its beautiful architectural designs and monuments.