BEST FOR FABRICS
KALA NIKETAN
This cavern is filled with rows and rows of gorgeous, glistening material, including plain silks, satins and embroidered brocades. A painted sign urges: ‘Woman, you always looked good in saree!’ There are metres and metres of ribbons too – far cheaper than VV Rouleaux in London and perfect for wrapping up presents (although they are meant to trim saris). 95 Queen’s Road (+91 22 2200 5001; www.kalaniketangroup.com)
BEST FOR JEWELLERY
AMRAPALI
At this shop loved by Hollywood and Bollywood stars alike ancient meets ethnic, meets wearable, meets special occasion. Beautiful, fine, yellow-gold pendant earrings with polka diamonds from the Mughal Collection sit alongside antique-silver necklaces and contemporary drop earrings. Shop No 28 and 29, Oberoi Shopping Centre, The Oberoi Hotel, Nariman Point (+91 22 2284 3687; www.amrapalijewels.com)
BEST FOR HOMEWARES
GOOD EARTH
A destination mega-store for home trinkets, including coloured-glass vases, neon-pink candles, silk cushions and quilted bedspreads. Come here for a great range of children’s towels and bedding, lotus-shaped soap dishes, incense sticks, tea sets, trays and lanterns – all chic, colourful and funky. There’s also an art-book section, and a restaurant and bakery selling passion-fruit macaroons. Look out for Good Earth’s other small outlet beside the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. Raghuvanshi Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (+91 22 2495 1954; www.goodearth.in)
