Located in Chennai, along the shores of the Bay of Bengal, MaalGaadi is a hub of creative and innovative ideas for your home. Connoisseurs of the beautiful find themselves drawn to this magnificent space for its selection of carefully curated fashion, decor, stationery, beauty products and other lifestyle essentials.
MaalGaadi was conceptualised by fashion entrepreneur Sakina Ansari, who comes from a family of reputed business people. Together with her daughter Shahin, a management graduate from the University of Southampton, Sakina has created this buzz-worthy concept store.
The store is curated by designer duo Shreya Kamaliya and Vivek Karunakaran. MaalGaadi explores interesting juxtapositions and crossovers between fashion and interiors. It houses an assortment of quirky installations, featuring fashion labels from across India alongside lifestyle accessories that make a statement.
The store wears an industrial and deconstructed look, which in itself is a statement-making idea, inspired from the brand name itself.
Expect to find functional pieces that boast sculptural and decorative merit, too. The collections are displayed according to themes such as texture and colour, rather than by genre—another distinct feature of the store. This makes the shopping environment more holistic, less segregated. It is as if a secret story is waiting to be told, once you walk in here. Nothing cookie cutter about it!
Speaking about herself and her store, Sakina says, “I am an ordinary person with an extraordinary vision for the world. I believe in myself, the people around me and the energy around me.
I did my schooling in Bangalore and pursued by BA in Literature in Chennai, but I was always inclined towards art, design, theatre and sports from a very young age. I have always loved drama, and for me entering this field of work was quite a dramatic step forward. I enjoy my life to the fullest. Each and every moment is a blessing and I love it all.”
Sakina has been in the field of bespoke fashion for almost two decades now. She started out with a couple of friends, customising kidswear for little girls. Her passion for design deepened as she grew, and she knew she wanted to take it to greater heights.
Being a designer with a penchant for the creative and quirky, Sakina has a wealth of ideas on how to turn a dull and drab home into a dazzler:
• A home should be a home, and not a museum. Yes, cleanliness and elegance are both important, but though it may sound clichéd, I would want my guests to relate to me and my family rather than objects in the house. When people walk into the space you call home, they should feel at home, while also
appreciating the beauty of the interiors.
• A home just needs a lively person to fill the atmosphere with love and affection. To go with it, warm colours of upholstery and drapes do the trick beautifully.
• I love setting up cozy corners, as they always have a homely and warm appeal.
• Adding lovely incense and candles helps in setting a relaxed atmosphere.
• Clean linen is a must for a good night’s sleep. Choosing these in soothing colours and soft fabrics gets you in and out of bed in a great frame of mind. A well rested mind is the key to finding beauty and joy all around you.
• It is true; the way to one’s heart is through the stomach. The kitchen should always be the
king of the house. Dazzling and clean!
The store showcases the prodigious talents of both established and young designers including Arjun Saluja, Nikki Mahajan, Nida Mahmood and Pinky Saraf. On the interior floor, you will be greeted by the exquisite creations of D-cubed, Safomasi and Mukul Goyal. But rather than being a collection of big labels, MaalGaadi prefers to present works by emerging and unknown names.
MaalGaadi Store
6/1 Block M, 4TH Main Road, Besant Nagar, Chennai, 600090
www.maalgaadistore.com