Not Just Holiday Shopping in Goa

With the opening of a Planet Hollywood hotel and the launch of India Beach Fashion Week, the country’s biggest resort destination is cruising steadily towards becoming a luxury shopping destination as well. Housed in charming Portuguese villas, on the beach or even in the boho flea markets, international stylistas like Jade Jagger have long been setting up signature boutiques here. Shilpa Sharma and Poonam Singh spend a good part of their lives in Goa having recently launched the first Bengali-French concept restaurant ‘Mustard’. They scoured the most exclusive stores to list the must-stops on every style itinerant’s list.

Paperboat Collective – Created by National Institute of Design graduate Bhagyashree Patwardhan as a much-needed space for fellow up-and-coming designers, the store showcases exclusive handcrafted products such as embroidered jackets, colourful crockery, statement bags and organic jewelry. With a pretty mural of a paperboat outside, it’s hard to miss this attractive villa on the road from Panjim to Calangute.

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House No. 248 Bella Vista, Chogm Road, Sangolda, +91-7798982907, www.paperboatcollective.in

2) Indian Story – In the trendy Assagao area, passers by are intrigued by a garden-in-a-car outside a large house with a bright pink sign. Inside the bungalow, each room houses different collections of women’s resort wear ‘Jamma’, menswear atelier ‘Adda’, hand-woven shawls, sarees, bags, jewelry and art collectibles. The Swaika family run different aspects of the store which provides bespoke services as well as a café.

Aldeia Serenia, Bounta Vaddo, Assagão, +91-832-2268608

3) White Brick Wall – The newest on this list, former director of the illustrious Sunaparanta Center for the Arts, Shamoli Barretto teamed up with her friend Liesel Duarte, a wedding planner to offer “an amalgamation of old school charm and contemporary design”. They appeal to the cosmopolitan local community as much as they do to tourists with their range of everything from home décor, ikat clothing, baby’s onesies to handmade souvenirs.

Jesuit House Building, Near Panjim Municipal Garden, +91-832-2428242

Sunieta Narayana – Bangalore-born designer and environmental engineer, Sunieta moved to Goa some years ago and enjoys designing something new every day. Her flagship store is at one of the most popular beach lounge clubs ‘Marbela’ and stocks timeless dresses for all sizes, ‘naked chappals’, mirrorwork clutches, statement earrings and accessories, all under one roof.

Marbela, Morjim-Ashvem Beach Road, www.sunietanarayana.com

Sacha’s Shop – Set in her ancestral home (which also houses the famed Black Sheep Bistro restaurant), former writer and stylist Sacha Mendes’ shop started out as a “cabinet of curiosities to amuse us”. Today it’s a space for everything Sacha loves, from deconstructed trousers made into a dress, leather puppets, paper birds, and cross-stitch towels. Her friend Savio Jon is a featured designer as is Tilla, Hot Pink Cool Blue, Runaway Bicycle and Lisa Jackal.

Swami Vivekanand Road, Panjim, +91-832-2222035

The Shop by Nana Ki – You will find this little gem en route to La Plage restaurant, in what seems to be a mini French quarter on Ashvem Beach. Under an airy canopy, the mother-daughter team of Danielle and Chloe Le Bonnois provide a much-needed supply of beachwear, Havaianas, home decorations, men’s wear and kids clothing in light, natural fabrics. Although Le Souq by Amarya or ‘Goa’s first luxury bazaar’ is only open during the tourist season, you can also visit Lola’s World in Hauz Khas by the same team.

Le Souq by Amarya, Behind La Plage Restaurant, Ashvem Beach, www.lolasworld.net

Malini Ramani – ‘Free Spirit’ is the collection on display here, featuring the well-known designer’s favourite bohemian looks from her travels around the world. Her “most wearable collection to date” includes drapes, prints, hand-dyed cottons and silks, studded jerseys and zip-up saris with modern waistcoats.

Near St Anthony’s Chapel, Calangute, +91-832-2275305

Bebel – Next door to Malini Ramani, Isabel Hernandez Lelli is a collector with a discerning eye and an effervescent personality. This is where you will find an exclusive collection of Goan designer Stephany D’Souza, whose fluid ensembles, are laidback yet chic. Other brands featured are Anupamaa and James Ferreira, besides Italian murano glass jewelry and exclusive Indian accessories.

Near St Anthony’s Chapel, Calangute-Candolim Road, +91-832-6451489

Wendell Rodricks – For an unparalleled Goan experience, visit the famed designer’s studio in the elegant Campal area of Panjim, frequented by celebrities like Catherine Deneuve. There are themed rooms for his signature white collection and silk or linen wear (in sizes from ‘slim’ to ‘voluptuous goddess’) as well as spaces for menswear and home products. In fact, it is the only boutique in the country that dispenses champagne, premium wines or other spirits while you shop.

Near Luis Gomes Garden, Campal, Panjim, +91-832-223817

Private Collection – International travelers frequently stop here to browse through backless silk dresses, avant-garde handbags or one-of-a-kind outfits by Bina Ramani, the sister of owner Ramona Galardi. Other desirable products include Indo-Portuguese furniture, artworks by local and international artists, menswear and healing jewelry.

Anna Vaddo, Candolim Main Road, +91-832-2489033

Flame – The brand everyone associates with Thalassa, since it’s on the way in to the renowned Greek restaurant, was created by designer Martino Caramia, who moved to Goa from Germany years ago. A look of ‘relaxed luxury’ is achieved through white Grecian drapes, crystal chandeliers and vintage mirrors. A second store opened in Arpora but the label is also available at Good Earth, Ogaan and Ensemble across metro cities.

Next to Viegas Supermarket, Arpora, +91-9980402466

Sosa’s – Run by the niece of the man who started one of the first multi-designer stores in Goa, the store is elegantly designed with a classic Portuguese yellow façade and situated in the Latin Quarter of Panjim. Designers include Joe Ikareth, Diksha Khanna and Ravage, among others.

Rua de Ourem, Fontainhas, +91-832-2228063