Couturier Seema Gujral has launched her first-ever Flagship store at Dhan Mill, New Delhi. The store was formally launched on 19th January 2024, with an exclusive special preview evening.
The Dhan Mill store covers an area of 7500 sq. ft. on the ground floor which is going to be a showroom open to the public and an area of 2500 sq ft on the mezzanine floor that hosts private office spaces. The double height of the store adds a dimension of voluminous space and spatial splendor. The theme of the store is inspired by the core essence of the brand; putting a modern lens on traditional Indian aesthetics, a signature statement of everything Seema Gujral creates.
The earthy elements of the saree section, avant-garde metallic sheets of the cocktail section, the Parisian charm of the men’s section, and the grid mesh of the Hadi section bind themselves at the focus of a grand double-height courtyard that forms the stage for the Indian Wedding style Altar. The theme is a true homage to a traditional Indian wedding with a sincere acknowledgement of the zest of a modern Indian couple about to embark on the journey that is matrimony.
The Seema Gujral flagship store at Dhan Mill, New Delhi is the latest by the design house of Renesa, a project that builds a space bringing select elements from Renesa’s portfolio to exhibit the finest pieces of the Couturier's designs. This is where quiet luxury makes itself seen through the minimal elegant design of the navigational common spaces opening into distinctively designed sections, each identified by the Seema Gujral collection they display and the design philosophy they showcase.
This division of space through visual elements along with varied scales and the funnelled circulation creates easy movement even for the first-time patron; letting the emotions the to-be bride and groom carry for their special day continue to remain at the centre stage. While Ms. Gujral envisioned a space to bring tradition and modernity together just like her pieces, team Renesa brought this vision to life by reflecting the conceived visuals and giving them customer-focused design sensibilities to create a store that is multi-faceted yet extremely fluid and functional.
Seema Gujral’s pieces are set apart from the ordinary through their intricate details that reflect the beauty of Indian traditions while incorporating a modern perspective. Renesa has tied the traditional spatial design of a voluminous courtyard through closely knit humble yet detail-rich alleys that open into five different sections, each based on a unique Seema Gujral collection. The collection inspires the habitat which in turn puts the spotlight on these grand pieces. The harmony achieved between the two is reflective of Renesa’s commitment to brand identity and Seema Gujral’s eclectic vision.
Seema Gujral has always been a dreamer since childhood and wanted to carve a niche for herself in a profession where she could express her creativity. Her self-taught skill of pattern making and draping and endeavour to achieve the synthesis of popular and avant-garde aesthetics, enabled her to start her love affair with design when she started her production house, Iris in 1995 with a team of only three people. The brand consistently flourished and Seema forayed into embroidered garments, which was met with rave reviews from her existing customers, friends and family.
Thus began Seema’s journey, successfully delivering bespoke designs to the Indian Market for the past 25 years. She found inspiration in her roots and strived to infuse classic traditional charm in all her designs. Her design aesthetic combines fashionable with organic detailing and sustainability. Her brand stands true to her commitment to revive, sustain and empower the Indian forms of art and textiles, thereby demonstrating a brand with a conscience. Her designs are a reflection of her unique vision that sets her apart from the ordinary. The ethereal outfits come to life as each ensemble is meticulously handcrafted, with prime focus on details and upholding the consistency of her craft.
Her design process begins with creating the brand’s signature colour palette and rich hues, she then works on a swatch of embroidery first, making it into stencils for the entire garment, which are then transformed to a one-of-a-kind couture piece. Her outfits are considered to be timeless yet defined by a fresh and modern mark. Each piece undergoes couture craftsmanship and experienced hand finishing until it arrives at an elegant perfection.
On the launch of her new Flagship Store, Couturier Seema Gujral said, "This is my labour of love, a culmination of the decades I have dedicated to my craft! Envisioning a space that seamlessly integrates my identity with the broader brand philosophy is the essence of my flagship store. When I sat with the team, I could sense that they were completely in tune with my sensibilities. They picked up on all the cues and the initial blueprints were so close to what I expected the store to be. The juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary flows so seamlessly and then there is a sort of serenity that is a larger than life experience. As families step into such a momentous journey, I want them to come here and feel one with the space and see how each area, each ensemble has a story to tell. This is a place where each collection stands out, each designated space has a soul and the experience is meant to be unforgettable and something to cherish forever. I look forward to welcoming everyone to our new home!"
The glamorous Athiya Shetty played muse for Ms. Gujral, at the exclusive preview launch evening of the new store. On this occasion, she said, "I'm so very delighted to be here in Delhi for the launch of Seema Gujral's new flagship store. I've always been drawn to her ensembles, seamlessly blending tradition with a contemporary edge, exuding confidence and grace. I'm truly captivated by the beauty and grandeur of her new space, it is truly a reflection of her hard-work, dedication and perseverance. So excited to see this beautiful new journey unfold and very happy to be a part of this momentous occasion."
The label has a strong global presence both offline and online and her collections are exhibited across luxury multi-brand platforms like Ogaan, Carma, Aza, Pernia’s Pop-up Shop and Ensemble. The brand has also established brick and mortar stores in the US, UK, and Canada to cater to its huge client base overseas and now brings their unique presence to the capital city of New Delhi.
