VIBA

VIBA was started fifteen years ago, by Vidya Balakrishnan and Shoba Ravishankar ('VI' from Vidya and 'BA' from Shoba). Enthusiastic Rotarians, Vidya specialises in Textiles, while Shoba is a graphic and interior designer. The company specialises in ethnic wear and western wear. Cotton Sarees, lush dress material and handlooms. They also undertake tailoring, embroidery and block printing. VIBA has many customers from the Chennai's tinsel world. They have the distinction of designing wedding dresses for some of the who's who in the region (a famous example being the wedding trousseau of Actress Amala). VIBA also promotes live events, in-house launches, fashion shows, music shows and organises seminars and exhibitions. Miss Chennai, Teen Super Model and Miss Tamil Nadu are some of the events that have been organized by them.

Address: VIBA, 15, New Shopping Complex, R. A. Puram, Chennai - 600 028.
Phone: 435 7367 / 8068
Telefax: 4353007
Email : viba@webindia.com

NATALIA

Natalia, launched in February 1999 by Sujata Pai, specialises in elegant western wear for women. Office wear, casual wear, evening wear - Natalia caters to all streams of fashion. Power dressing for working women is made easy with their line of office wear. It combines cool, business elegance with comfortable styling in a range of jackets, trousers and blouses in fabric like cotton, linen, silk, lycra and velvet. For casual wear, their range covers wrap-around skirts, tie-ups, sleeveless blouses, skirts, parallels, shorts, cargos and capri pants. Their denim range is soft and can also be used as evening wear or party wear. Some of the denim dresses are intricately embroidered, some delicately sequinned and some simply designed. The shop also offers elegant dresses, exquisite evening jackets, short and long sleeved blouses using special and imported fabric. The price range is Rs. 280/- to Rs.1950/-.

Address: Natalia, 136, T. T. K. Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018
Phone: 432 6775
URL : www.nataliaonline.com
E-mail : n_sync@nataliaonline.com

FFOLIO

FFolio is an up-market fashion boutique that caters to a wide variety of tastes. The main showroom is in Bangalore. At Chennai, it is managed by Asha Mohan and her staff. The line of clothes has a mix of western, Indian and Indo-western clothing. The clothes are designed by some of the best fashion designers in the country, one of whom is Rohit Bal. And this store is not exclusively for women, they have men’s garments as well. Folio seems least concerned about competition. They have actresses like Manisha Koirala and models like Nafisa Joseph shopping at their outlets. Each item is priced anywhere between Rs 1,200/- and Rs 15,000/-.

Address: FFolio, ABC Consolidated Private Limited, # 27, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 006
Phone: 825 2924

SYED BAWKHER AND CO.

‘Clothes maketh the Man’ is the maxim of a company that has been around for the last 100 years. Syed Bawkher and Co. is more than just a tailoring outfit. This place is the best as far as designer suits are concerned. And Sajjad Ahmed, grandson of Syed Bawkher - the founder, is ably assisted by his son, Junaid. Established in Chennai in 1955, Syed Bawkher has made a lasting impression not only with the locals, but even with those who live abroad. Their clientele range from the middle class to the upper crust of society. Having won an Award for Excellence in Tailoring, Sajjad Ahmed and company are still gaining ground. Price Range: Rs 7,000/- to Rs 20,000/- per unit.

Address: Syed Bawkher and Co., # 34 Cathedral Road, Chennai - 600 086
Phone: 811 0067