With its Greek columns and high ceilings which bring everything European and classical to mind, The Collection-UB City in Bangalore is a place where the ticking of the Omegas and the clicking of Jimmy Choos resonates through the ambient sounds of Mozart?s symphonies.
For any of those who experience withdrawal symptoms without their regular dose of Vogue, the decadence of this mall is hard to resist. Spread over 1,25,000 square feet, the super premium shoppers? paradise is designed on the lines of a Venetian palazzo and home to 40 retail outlets, mostly high-end luxury brands such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Ermenegildo Zegna, Moschino, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, Tod?s, Lanvin, Kimaya and Paul Smith. The brand that epitomises luxury, Louis Vuitton, was the first to open their doors to consumers in Bangalore. The tone of this space is set loud and clear at its very entrance, where Bentleys, Rolls Royces and BMWs line up to glide into the multi-layered parking space.
Says Nikhil Mehra, vice-president, Genesis Luxury, ?UB City is one of India’s best equipped luxury malls that provide the right environment for our brands. We have brands like Canali, Paul Smith and Burberry already present here and we also plan to open Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta and Etro soon.?
Retailers at The Collection feel that it is not just about buying, but about the ambience and the experience of shopping. White Italian marble decorates almost every surface of the mall, the long corridors flaunt designer labels that every shopper aspires to possess. ?Luxury is all about shopping in the right environment. Hence we are very particular about the location of our brand stores to keep up with their luxury image and global positioning. In Bangalore we have found this environment in UB City,? says Mehra.
Besides apparel and accessories, lifestyle brands such as Good Earth, Daum, Lladro, Rosenthal find numerous clients. From ornate crystal figurines to elegant silver flatware and tableware, everything is there for the taking. Four watches players?Mont Blanc, Omega, Minawala and Tag Heuer?are available. Estee Lauder, known for their cosmetics and skin care products, has an exclusive store at this mall. The choice is endless.
For those who actually shop here, The Collection has become a popular choice for fine dining, window shopping and wishful thinking. Homemaker Soraya says she comes to the mall primarily for its ambience and the French caf? styled restaurants of UB City, which has nine food and beverages outlets. The 29-year-old mother of two mostly shops for special occasions from the stores. ?We shop here for occasions like weddings and anniversaries, especially from watch stores like Rolex, and for accessories like bags and belts and perfumes. But we do frequent the restaurants.?
As per the management of The Collection, the affluent class in Bangalore, which is a good mix of expatriates and young professionals, is more conscious about fashion trends and has a healthy appetite for high-end products. With the frequent brand launches and new dining areas opening at the mall, one can safely say that the spirit of the city is alive and kicking.
Preksha Sinha, a communication professional, feels that with the presence of all the international brands in the mall the urge of shopping abroad is slowly fading away. ?A shopping trip to Europe, which is something that most Indian luxuristas were required to do to prime up their lifestyle, has become irrelevant,? says Sinha.
