Delhiites are well-travelled and well-informed clients,” says Sarita Handa, the founder of the furnishings and home décor brand Sarita Handa. “They look for finesse and innovation. Our brand creates beautiful pieces taking inspiration from the city for the city,” she adds.
“If the world can take inspiration from our craft, artwork and architecture, we surely can,” says Suparna, her daughter and the brand director. “Delhi has evolved with time, valuing its rich heritage than before. It has changed for good from my time to my daughter’s time,” Sarita adds.
According to the mother-daughter duo, it’s a fast-growing market that’s not only influenced by India’s past aesthetics but also global trends.
And the last two years have been eventful for the furnishings and home décor brand. After opening its stores in Delhi’s Khan Market and MG Road, the two-decade-old label set up its store in Mumbai’s Shakti Mill Lane.
Spread across 2,500 square feet, their Mumbai store displays its latest entrants: cane daybeds, chairs with embroidered backs, consoles and beds in oak wood. An extensive range of rugs, kilims and antique Persian carpets, another first for the brand, has found space along with bedding ensembles, wall art and paintings. Everything is designed and manufactured in-house.
One might think that a lot is going on with the brand, but for the people behind it—Sarita Handa, Suparna Handa and son-in-law Captain Rahul Puri—it’s business as usual. “Next up are stores in Hyderabad and Bengaluru,” says Captain Puri, who is the executive director. New store launch isn’t the only thing that’s keeping them busy. The brand developed a new technique for its spring/summer collection, introducing ombré colour graduation on linen fabrics. “It’s like giving a makeover to the traditional dip-dye technique,” says Suparna.
Last year, the brand launched a monogramming service. Customers can now get their initials embroidered onto bed or bath linens with threads of their choice and walk away with the piece in less than 15 minutes. Monogramming, no doubt, was a hit in Delhi. Is it easier for a new brand to begin its journey today than Sarita’s time, we ask. “Launching a brand has nothing to do with time. Hard work, vision and passion still go a long way into carving a niche,” says Sarita.