I remember the first time I walked into Bombay Electric. Located in the lane just after the Taj Mahal Hotel, as soon as I walked through the gates, I knew I’d like the store. Tea lights were suspended from the mesh ceiling, and flower pots were replaced with gumboots and old television sets – this was just the outside. Once I made my way in, the quirkiness and the electricity I experienced outside was now a part of everything they had for sale in the store. Their smallest piece, from the sunglasses and mobile accessories to the actual clothes and jewellery – everything was so unique, I wanted to own it all immediately. Today, the quirk factor lives on, at the store, online, and most recently at Selfridges in London. In an exclusive chat with Priya Kishore (owner & founder), we got the skinny on their new spot on Bond Street and what you might see next.
Bombay Electric at Selfridges, London
On the new space at Selfridges
It’s been exciting initiating a design dialogue between our stores in London and Mumbai, we’re delighted by the response. Both spaces have strong but distinct personalities, needless to say, colour plays a big part in both, as do exclusive collections by Manish Arora and Péro. This week we have white henna with tribal motifs on Saturday in London, and the exclusive release of Lazy Péro in Mumbai. Later in the month we have a DJ in our London space, and the exclusive sari collection by international designers released in India. So many stimulating things planned for the future!
The store also stocks pieces by Miuniku, Anupamaa Dayal, Gaurav Gupta, Namrata Joshipura as well as Nicholas Kirkwood, Roksanda Ilincic and Mary Katrantzou.
Bombay Electric at Selfridges, London
On her own personal style
Impulse and gut reaction are very important. I love colour and texture, the way textiles feel next to your skin. I love the hand made and the human touch, layers and transparency, iridescence and hi-tech fabrics.
Priya Kishore at Bombay Electric at Selfridges, London
On an influencer’s style she admires
If Grace Jones and Audrey Hepburn had a lovechild, she may have a similar wardrobe to mine. With a few Marni platform sandals thrown in…
Bombay Electric at Selfridges, London
On personally curating everything in the store
I’m a treasure hunter, and love delving into India’s history through objects. An object can tell a thousand stories and reveal so much about the era it came from. Our Tiffins are my favourite – each has a different stamp e.g. Bombay Tiffin Co. flanked by horn blowing angels, with the name of the previous owner engraved, there’s so much personality in each piece. I’m also particularly fond of a set of very old glass paintings from the palace of the Maharaja of Mysore, fantastical beasts with 22K gold detailing. There’s something really interesting in the fact that glass paintings must be painted ‘backwards’ with the details first. Our ceramic Ravi Varmas from Japan are also pretty stunning and unusual, I could talk about our antiques for hours!
Bombay Electric at Selfridges, London
Since Priya has been spending most of her time in New York, we asked her if we would find the store at Sak’s Fifth Avenue soon
Let’s see…
Bombay Electric at Selfridges, London
P.S. I still wear my first purchase from Bombay Electric, a leather and metal bracelet, everyday.
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