With our ever-changing environment and the retail industry entering into a new era, Mi Casa Collective believes it is necessary to shift attention to customer experiences. By creating a more immersive retail experience, customers leave not just with products but also learnings to take home. With the same concept, Sonali Batra and Akshita Sekhri are showcasing their experiential exhibition for your home.
Sonali Batra is an art enthusiast with an eye for detail, currently manages and curates exhibitions for Great Banyan Art, an art gallery that brings together Indian and International contemporary artists.
Bringing together new talent in all spheres like clothing, jewelry and home décor for the store, Akshita Sekhri coupled her love for all things artisanal and indigenous, helped launch her own Home décor and Gifting label – Cavalry Lane.A passion for creating an exceptional living space for her customers gave birth to Mi Casa Collective, a new retail experience centered around Interiors and Art.
PEAKLIFE brings on some exclusive details from their upcoming exhibition over a tete-a –tete.
Q1: Tell us about yourself and how your personal experiences lead to this collaboration – Sonali / Akshita individual answers.
Sonali Batra: An art enthusiast with an eye for detail, Sonali Batra currently manages and curates exhibitions for Great Banyan Art, an art gallery that brings together Indian and International contemporary artists.
After closely working with her clients and helping them choose artworks for their home space, Sonali’s interest in art, design, and interiors has naturally cultivated.
A business graduate from The London School of Economics and Political Science, with a specialization in Marketing, Sonali seeks to provide an exhibition experience where clients are able to under one roof, interact and purchase pieces for their ideal home.
Akshita Sekhri: With over 5 years of experience in retail, Akshita Sekhri used her education in Merchandising and Marketing to curate a lifestyle shop-in-shop concept in the heart of Central Delhi. Bringing together new talent in all spheres like clothing, jewelry and home décor for the store, coupled with her love for all things artisanal and indigenous, helped launch her own Home décor and Gifting label – Cavalry Lane.
A passion for creating an exceptional living space for her customers gave birth to Mi Casa Collective, a new retail experience centered around Interiors and Art.
Q2: How did this collaboration come about – what’s the story there?
Over the past couple of years we realised that there are several exhibitions happening in the city everyday, however all of these exhibitions predominantly focus on fashion. We felt home decor brands would often get lost amongst the clothes, shoes and bags on display.
Hence we decided to launch an exhibition that solely focuses on the home. Our aim has been to provide a platform that serves as a haven for those with a discerning eye for décor and design.
Q3: What’s on offer at Mi Casa Collective?
Mi Casa Collective is a two day show that solely focuses on everything home. Mi Casa brings together a curated collection of some India’s best décor and interior brands under one roof in a differentiated retail concept. Participating brands represent homeware across categories such as Fine Art, Furniture, Carpets, Home décor and Accessories, Tableware, Home fragrances, Floral arrangements, Bath and Bedding linen and more.
Q4: What is the concept of “Retailtainment “, and what makes it different from the usual retail experiences?
Retailtainment (the fusion of retail and entertainment) is predicted to dominate the industry. This concept provides customers with unique experiences that elevate shopping above what it’s previously been.
With our ever-changing environment and the retail industry entering into a new era, it is necessary to shift attention to customer experiences. By creating a more immersive retail experience, customers leave not just with products but also learnings to take home.
Mi Casa Collective fundamentally allows customers to enjoy a bespoke and effortless experience that harmonises the best parts of shopping for their loved spaces.
At Mi Casa, visitors can not only shop but also get a chance to interact with experts who will share key interior styling tips and tricks to spruce up the home for the festive season.
Amongst Miam’s delectable macaroons and CAARA’s canapes, coupled with Pahadi Local’s Organic Goodness, Mi Casa offers succulent and floral arrangement sessions with Project Co; Interior designer Anica Kocchar will tell you how to incorporate eclectic pieces into your home and art curator Sonali Batra, will walk you through andhelp you understand what fits best in your home.
One of our most exciting features is the Gifting Corner: with Diwali around the corner, indulge in our gifting corner with a collective of multi-brand gifting options for all your last minute Diwali gifting needs and get access to 25+ leading brands in the home space.
Q5: According to you, what are the latest trends in home décor?
Brass led accessories in terms of Tableware are a huge trend we are looking forward to this season. Dual tone serveware with elements in brass and rhodium plating are what’s catching our eye this season. Another big trend we are looking at to be introduced in Home décor is sustainability. We at Mi Casa Collective are proud to be associated with our favourite carpet brand- Mishcat Co. They use discarded silk sarees to hand knot their carpets which we believe is a great initiative. We are also proud to have a lot of design based labels inculcate this trend such as Boderline Studio started by architect & interior designer- Anica Kochhar who uses waste Stainless Steel to hand-craft her pieces into utilitarian pieces that can be used for the bar or to entertain.
Q6: What are the key brands and product ranges that one should look out for while visiting Mi Casa Collective?
Dale and Co.’s Cantonese collection
Mischat Co’s woven silk carpets
Niana’s Diwali collection ‘Noor’
Silver-plated range & Gift Boxes by Cavalry Lane
Great Banyan Art’s accessibly priced artworks
The gifiting corner by Invitations by Aarushi
