Ensemble India turns 36 with the launch of a new store in Ahmedabad

Ensemble India turns 36 and commemorates the occasion with the launch of a new store in Ahmedabad

Under a starry night sky, to the background music of the sitar, we hold up glasses of chaas to raise a toast to Ensemble India’s brand new store in Ahmedabad. We also celebrate the luxury multi-brand fashion retailer turning 36. With the addition of this latest outpost in Gujarat, Ensemble now has six stores across the country. Spread across 4,000 square feet, the new space features a marble verandah, large glass windows accentuated with wooden canopies, Terrazzo flooring, brass strips, mesh grids, and multi-angle mirrors which became a hotbed for selfies at the launch.

Post the launch, as we butter piping hot bhakris and sample dishes from a traditional Gujarati thali at the iconic rooftop restaurant Agashiye, Tina Tahliani Parikh (co-founder and executive director of Ensemble), her daughter Aria Parikh (merchandiser at the store), and designer Tarun Tahliani, break down the journey of the store, which first launched in Mumbai in 1987.

A revolutionary concept then, Ensemble was started by Tarun and his wife Sailaja to provide designers a platform to showcase their work of love. This is where numerous big names from the fashion industry were launched. “80% of India’s key designers from Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, Manish Malhotra, Anamika Khanna and Gaurav Gupta, to more recently Kshitij Jalori, 431-88 and Karan Torani have all been launched by Ensemble,” says Tina.

Trendsetters in the fashion industry, the brother-sister duo has had an overall industry perspective. “We did fashion shows that heralded the trends of the season way before fashion weeks started,” says Tina.

Ensemble’s 30th anniversary celebration in 2017 was particularly iconic. About 35 designers came together to showcase their contributions to the industry. Wendell Rodricks presented his landmark Visionnaire Collection, which he had designed for the visually challenged. Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna did an interesting film which could be viewed inside a long tube, almost like you view a kaleidoscope. Rohit Bal did a museum quality exhibit with his stupendous coats. Shahab Durazi, Tarun, Anamika and Manish did installations. Amit Aggarwal did a 15-foot long panel with his recycled polymer strips.

Along with the store launch, the celebrations for the 36th year also saw a fashion show where models showcased looks that are a mix and match of various designer outfits and accessories. From an Amrich jacket styled with a Chandrima bustier and Tarun Tahliani archival pants to an Amit Aggarwal cape styled with a concept sari by 431-88 and a CVH necklace. “One of our aims is to help people find their personal style. And by mixing styles, like we did in the show, and creating your own unique ensemble, you’ll never end up at a party wearing the same outfit as someone else,” says Aria.

Tina and Aria emphasise on styling each piece in different ways so that customers can extract as many wears from it while still feeling they are wearing something new and exciting. They believe clothes should serve beyond a single occasion.