Category: Fashion News

The House of Rare has unveiled its largest Bengaluru store in Indiranagar, strengthening its retail presence in the Indiranagar flagship, an established premium high-street and lifestyle area, according to the company. The 6,000 sq. ft. flagship spans two floors and brings Rare Rabbit, Rareism, Rare Ones and Rare’Z together under one address. Franchise India reports that the opening takes the group’s Bengaluru footprint to approximately 25 stores and its India presence to approximately 42 stores. 

What Happened?

The Indiranagar flagship brings the House of Rare portfolio together across menswear, womenswear, kidswear and footwear while allowing each label to retain its own identity. Rare Rabbit Guild anchors the menswear offer, Rareism presents its Autumn/Winter range across everyday, occasion and festive dressing, and Rare Ones adds kidswear. Rare’Z brings footwear lines including Sugoi, Dust, Montare and Abbruzzo, with the full Sugoi series making its Bengaluru debut.

The store is also designed as part of the customer experience. Its interiors use a modern, minimal design language with veneer finishes, glass, bespoke fixtures, focused lighting and acoustic detailing. The facade draws on Mediterranean architectural references, while dedicated entrances give Rareism and Rare’Z distinct visibility within the wider format.

Key Highlights

• Brand: The House of Rare
• Location: Indiranagar, Bengaluru
• Store size: 6,000 sq. ft.
• Format: Two-floor multi-brand flagship
• Brands: Rare Rabbit, Rareism, Rare Ones and Rare’Z
• Categories: Menswear, womenswear, kidswear and footwear
• Bengaluru footprint: Approximately 25 stores
• India footprint: Approximately 42 stores

Why This Matters for Fashion & D2C

For D2C businesses, the useful lesson is about retail format rather than store count. A larger physical location needs to offer more than additional shelf space: it can bring complementary categories together, create opportunities for cross-selling and give customers a clearer understanding of a wider brand ecosystem.

Location is equally important. The company describes Bengaluru as one of its strongest markets and Indiranagar as an established premium high-street and lifestyle ecosystem. This makes the flagship a way to deepen an existing customer base rather than entering an untested market.

For fashion brands, the broader opportunity is to make stores and digital discovery work together rather than treating each channel independently. The physical store can provide experience and trial, while digital channels can support discovery and continued engagement. 

About The House of Rare

The House of Rare was established in 2015 under the Radhamani Textiles umbrella and includes Rare Rabbit, Rareism, Rare Ones and Rare’Z. Rare Rabbit focuses on menswear, Rareism on womenswear, Rare Ones on kidswear and Rare’Z on footwear. The group says it has more than 1,100 retail touchpoints across exclusive brand stores, large-format retail and multi-brand outlets. Rare Ones and Rare’Z were launched in 2024.

Sources Used

1. Business Standard – The House of Rare unveils its largest Bengaluru flagship
2. Franchise India – House of Rare Opens Its Largest 6,000 Sq. Ft. Flagship
3. The House of Rare – Official Indiranagar Store Listing

Small clutch bags carried by men have become increasingly visible over the past several months, moving from red-carpet appearances into mainstream menswear. Harry Styles and Bad Bunny helped popularise the look in recent years, while footballers such as Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland brought it further into the spotlight by carrying designer clutches and bags around the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Luxury houses including Dior, Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabbana have since incorporated men’s clutches into recent runway collections. 

Celebrity Influence

Men carrying small clutches at public appearances is not a new phenomenon. Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Jacob Elordi and Patrick Schwarzenegger have carried clutches and compact bags at red-carpet events and in paparazzi photographs for several years, according to Yahoo Lifestyle. These bags typically hold only essentials such as a phone, keys and sunglasses.

Other menswear figures have also helped popularise designer bags, including Jacob Elordi, who regularly carries Bottega Veneta pieces, and Timothée Chalamet, who has worn smaller Hermès and Chanel styles, according to CNN Style. While these celebrities did not originate the concept of men carrying bags, historically documented since the 17th century according to Coveteur, their visibility has contributed significantly to its recent resurgence.

Footballers And Luxury Bags 

The fashion trend gained further momentum during the 2026 World Cup, as several high-profile footballers carried luxury bags and clutches. Norway striker Erling Haaland frequently carried Hermès bags, including the Birkin, while France forward Kylian Mbappé favoured Dior, reflecting his role as a brand ambassador, according to Marie Claire. Lionel Messi has also built a bag collection spanning Dior, Hermès and Louis Vuitton.

The trend gained a stronger connection to the clutch format during the 2026 World Cup. In May, Mbappé arrived at the French national team’s training base carrying Dior’s A5 Triangle clutch, which cost approximately €1,300 (around 4,700 shekels), according to Ynetnews. During the World Cup, his France teammate Manu Koné carried a yellow Goyard clutch priced at $5,900 (approximately 17,000 shekels).

Key Highlights

Detail	Information
Trend	Men’s clutch bags replacing larger luxury bags
Started By	Celebrities like Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Jacob Elordi
Boosted By	Footballers like Kylian Mbappé, Manu Koné, Lionel Messi
Example Price	Dior A5 Triangle clutch — about 1,300 euros
Another Example	Goyard clutch worn by Manu Koné — $5,900
Brands Involved	Dior, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Goyard, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren
Key Theme	Clutches functioning as style and status accessories over daily utility

Runway And Brand Adoption

Luxury houses have responded to the visibility of this trend with recent runway presentations. Dolce & Gabbana paired suits and resort wear with clutches, including styles decorated with jeweled charms and others in crocodile-effect leather. Ralph Lauren presented tailored suits alongside leather clutches in a range of sizes, using the accessory to introduce a more relaxed element into formal looks.

Reporting also notes a related trend of men repurposing toiletry bags as day bags, with the distinction between the two categories increasingly blurred in practice.

Why This Matters for Fashion D2C

This shift indicates that established assumptions about “practical” or category-appropriate menswear accessories are loosening. Crossbody bags and belt bags have traditionally been positioned as the safer entry point for men’s bag categories; clutches are now competing for that space. Brands developing men’s accessory lines may want to track this shift in consumer acceptance.

There is also a pricing pattern worth noting. Within luxury houses, clutches typically sit at a lower price point than larger handbags from the same brand, offering a comparatively accessible entry into a “luxury” positioning. D2C accessory brands could apply a similar structure — smaller, design-forward items priced to make a brand’s aesthetic accessible without requiring a flagship-price purchase.

Style Over Functionality

Clutches present clear functional limitations compared to crossbody or belt bags. They occupy one hand, requiring users to set the bag down for tasks such as using a phone, and do not distribute weight the way structured bags do.

This trade-off appears to be part of the accessory’s current appeal rather than an obstacle to it. Reporting on the trend frames clutches, whether from established luxury houses or resale/counterfeit markets, as functioning primarily as status and style signifiers rather than practical daily-carry items. The format’s growing adoption suggests that, within this segment of menswear, visual and brand signalling is currently being prioritised over functional convenience.

Source:

https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/lifestyle/article/r1py11hkyfg

Theater, a D2C fashion and accessories brand, has raised Rs 75 crore in a Series A funding round led by Niveshaay. Physis Capital joined as a new investor, while Prath Ventures, an existing investor, also participated. The round values Theater at approximately Rs 410 crore on a post-money basis.

Theater’s Funding Round

Theater makes footwear, stockings, bags, and perfumes. Four people started the brand in 2021. Their names are Sarthak Aggarwal, Vikram Jain, Karan Jain, and Shruti Aggarwal. The brand calls itself “design-led” and “mass-premium.” That means it sits between cheap mass-market goods and pricey imported luxury brands.

The company plans to use the funds to expand its offline retail footprint and invest in brand-building initiatives, including marketing campaigns and celebrity partnerships. Theater currently operates primarily through digital channels, but intends to grow its physical retail presence significantly.

Sarthak Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO, explained the reasoning behind the brand’s founding. He said the team struggled to find well-made accessories in India that weren’t either imported luxury items or lower-quality alternatives, prompting them to build a brand manufactured in India and priced for consumers who value design without paying luxury prices.

Co-founder Vikram Jain addressed a common assumption in the Indian retail market. He noted that Indian consumers are frequently characterised as prioritising discounts over design. However, he said Theater’s growth suggests otherwise, indicating that consumers are willing to pay for products with a distinct design perspective.

Theatre Brand Raised Funding

Arvind Kothari, Founder of Niveshaay, explained the rationale behind the investment. He said Niveshaay backs category-creating brands that address clear market gaps, noting that footwear, stockings, and bags remain largely unorganised categories in India with limited design-led options. Kothari added that Theater built strong consumer pull organically in these categories.

The company’s financial performance supports this positioning. Theater recorded operating revenue of Rs 33.35 crore in the financial year ending March 2025, representing a 2.37x year-on-year increase. The brand’s previous funding round was a $1.5 million pre-Series A round led by Prath Ventures in September 2024.

Key Highlights

Detail	Information
Brand	Theater
Round	Series A
Amount Raised	Rs 75 crore
Led By	Niveshaay
Other Investors	Physis Capital (new), Prath Ventures (existing)
Valuation	About Rs 410 crore (post-money)
Founded	2021, by Sarthak Aggarwal, Vikram Jain, Karan Jain, Shruti Aggarwal
Products	Footwear, stockings, bags, perfumes
FY25 Revenue	Rs 33.35 crore, up 2.37x from FY24
Past Round	$1.5 million pre-Series A, led by Prath Ventures, September 2024

Why This Matters for Fashion D2C

Theater’s growth suggests increasing consumer willingness to pay for design-led products at accessible price points, rather than defaulting to discount-driven purchasing.

The funding also highlights growing opportunities in underpenetrated fashion-accessory categories. Footwear, stockings, and bags have historically lacked strong design-focused, organised players in India, and Theater’s traction indicates demand exists in these overlooked segments.

This may prompt other D2C brands to consider less saturated categories rather than competing directly in crowded segments such as apparel, where differentiation is harder to achieve.

About Theater

Theater was founded in 2021 by Sarthak Aggarwal, Vikram Jain, Karan Jain, and Shruti Aggarwal. The brand manufactures footwear, stockings, bags, and perfumes, and positions itself as a design-led, mass-premium label priced above mass-market offerings but below imported luxury brands.

What Happens Next?

Theater plans to use the new capital to expand its offline retail presence and increase investment in marketing and celebrity partnerships, while continuing to grow its digital-first business.

Source: https://indianstartupnews.com/funding/fashion-brand-theater-raises-rs-75-crore-in-series-a-funding-led-by-niveshaay-12515182 

https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/apparel-fashion/accessories/theater-raises-rs-75-crore-in-series-a-funding-led-by-niveshaay/134003146

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla marked 40 years of fashion with a grand celebration in Mumbai. The event brought together stars, models, and long-time friends of the designers. Isha Ambani attended the celebration in a custom zardozi skirt set that took nearly 450 hours to make by hand. The look mixed old Indian craft with a modern shape and was part of the celebrations around the designers’ new flagship, Mubarak Baug.

Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla’s 40th Anniversary Celebration

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla’s 40th anniversary celebration brought their four-decade fashion journey into one big event. The celebration took place at Mubarak Baug, their new flagship in South Mumbai, inside the historic Framjee Cawasjee Institute.

The space was made to show the world of the designers. It brings together couture, craft, art, jewellery, and pieces from their past. The new flagship covers about 20,000 square feet and was designed as an immersive space rather than a simple fashion store.

The event had many well-known names from Indian fashion and film. Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani, Shloka Ambani, and Radhika Ambani attended the celebration in looks by the designers. Models who had worked with the duo in the past returned for the show, adding a special link to the brand’s history.

Key Highlights

Detail	Information
Event	Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla’s 40th anniversary celebration
Venue	Mubarak Baug, Mumbai
Designers	Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla
Isha Ambani’s Look	Custom zardozi-embroidered skirt set
Craft Time	Nearly 450 hours
Main Craft	Aari and zardozi embroidery
Design Detail	Mughal-inspired jaali motif
Stylist	Andrew Mukamal
Jewellery	From Nita Ambani’s personal collection

Isha Ambani’s 450-Hour Zardozi Skirt Set

Isha Ambani wore a custom skirt set made by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla for the celebration. The outfit had a fitted halterneck blouse and a long skirt with rich embroidery.

The piece was made new for the event. It was not an old look from the designers’ archive. The handwork took close to 450 hours, with the outfit made over about six weeks.

The set used a Mughal-inspired jaali design. Artisans covered the fabric with aari and zardozi work. Swarovski crystals, pearls, and bugle beads added more shine to the look.

The halterneck gave the outfit a fresh feel. Its clean shape brought a light, modern touch to the heavy handwork. The result was closer to elegant eveningwear than a traditional lehenga.

The Craftsmanship Behind Isha Ambani’s Look

The main beauty of the outfit comes from its handwork. Artisans used aari and zardozi to create the detailed patterns across the skirt and blouse.

The jaali motif has a strong Mughal influence. It looks like a fine, open pattern and gives the outfit a rich texture.

The motif also has a history with the fashion house. A similar jaali design appeared in the brand’s 2009 Abaan collection. The new look takes ideas from the designers’ Raj collection too, giving an older craft a newer feel.

How Isha Ambani Styled the Look

Stylist Andrew Mukamal styled Isha’s look. He kept the accessories polished so they did not take attention away from the detailed embroidery.

Isha wore a diamond and pearl choker, statement diamond earrings, and a diamond-encrusted ring. The jewellery came from Nita Ambani’s personal collection.

She finished the look with crystal-covered heels from Italian brand René Caovilla and a metallic chainmail top-handle bag.

Why This Matters for Fashion D2C

Isha Ambani’s look shows how Indian craft can work with a modern fashion shape. The outfit keeps traditional zardozi and aari work at the centre, but the clean halterneck and long skirt give it a fresh evening look.

This is useful for fashion D2C brands, especially those making wedding and occasion wear. Customers are looking for special pieces that feel rich but do not always look like a classic lehenga. A simple shape with detailed handwork gives brands another way to create statement occasionwear.

The event itself gives another lesson. Mubarak Baug is more than a store. It brings fashion, craft, art, jewellery, and the brand’s archive into one space. That kind of experience can help a fashion label tell a stronger story around its products and its craft.

About Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla began their design partnership in 1986. For four decades, they have built their name around rich Indian craft and couture. Their work is known for techniques such as zardozi, chikankari, mirror work, and detailed embroidery. Their 40th anniversary celebrates both their long journey and the craft behind the house.

Source:

https://www.vogue.in/content/isha-ambanis-zardozi-embroidered-skirt-set-by-abu-jani-sandeep-khosla-was-crafted-over-450-hours

https://www.glamcheck.com/bollywood/2026/09/09/isha-ambani-zardozi-abu-jani-sandeep-khosla-450-hours