Discover Ateliers and Exhibitions for Unique Fashion Choices

Time of India

25-07-2025

Before malls became popular, exhibitions and couture houses were the go-to places for exclusive outfits. While malls dominate shopping habits today, these traditional spaces still cater to individual tastes.
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Apurva Kothari, founder of No Nasties, says, 'It's high time you respect your style. You don't want to be seen wearing something thousands are buying across the world.'
Aisha Tharadra (29) of Mumbai and Rashmi Sharma (25) of Chennai shop from ateliers and exhibitions. 'Unlike mass-produced outfits sold at malls, ateliers offer limited, personalised pieces,' they say. Creative showcases sell curated collections by experts that offer a gratifying shopping experience.
Gen Z is actively seeking ethical and sustainable choices. It is important to ask the right questions and understand what goes into the making of our clothes, to be able to make the right choices for our personal style and also our planet
Apurva Kothari, founder, No Nasties
When shopping from ateliers, you're not just purchasing a garment but taking home a piece of art, tailored to reflect who you are. It's intimate and layered with craftsmanship and storytelling. That's what sets us apart — we don't sell fashion, we celebrate it
Maheka Mirpuri, couturier, artist & philanthropist
WHY SHOP FROM CREATIVE SHOWCASES
Representative image/@The Lil Flea
Access to limited-edition pieces
Chandni Sareen, founder and creative director of The Ikat Story, says, 'Shopping at ateliers and exhibitions offers access to limited-edition pieces and heritage crafts that are hard to find in the mass-market.'
Building personal style
Unlike fast fashion's endless cycle of fleeting micro-trends, Niti Gupta, founder of The Afra World, emphasises, 'True style comes from looking past trends. It involves choosing fabrics, cuts, and aesthetics that reflect your persona.'
Developing a personal connection
According to Priyanka Punjabi, co-founder and director, The Lil Flea, 'Couture houses and exhibitions offer thoughtfulness and individuality. Pieces are handcrafted, made in small batches, and you get to interact directly with makers, making the experience personal and memorable.'
LIMITATIONS
Limited pieces
Chaitra Poojary, a Mumbai-based content creator who shops from ateliers, says, 'With limited pieces, you have to buy immediately or risk missing out.
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Exhibitions, too, are temporary, so it's hard to revisit or find the same sellers again.'
Return/exchange can be a hassle
Another buyer, Disha Popli (27) from Delhi, states, 'Although I prefer shopping from ateliers, exchanging or returning any purchased outfits can be a hassle due to varying prices and availability of sizes.'
It is a costly affair
As opposed to fast fashion brands, ateliers and exhibitions are pricier. However, this high cost is inevitable. Saaksha Bhat, co-founder, Saaksha & Kinni, states, 'Creative showcases not only source better quality clothes but also have larger overheads.
Still, it's wiser to invest in expensive pieces occasionally than to frequently buy cheaper, lower-quality ones.'
Pieces at ateliers and exhibitions may cost more than fast fashion, but they offer better quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability. You're paying for unique, thoughtfully curated garments
Saaksha Bhat, co-founder, Saaksha & Kinni
SHOP AT FASHION WEEKS
Fashion weeks in India let style-conscious shoppers to explore designer outfits. They host special pop-ups where attendees can shop curated pieces straight off the runway, often at discounted prices, making high fashion accessible to a wider audience.