The launch on March 31st at the FC Goa House was a buzzing one. Was I surprised? Nah. Because even the guest list was a finely curated, eclectic mix of individuals from Goa, Mumbai and Delhi.
Ushering the festive season of new beginnings with Easter in the lifestyle State of the country, Goa, a brand new design atelier for the well-travelled, well informed, curious about design, price aware individual ready to invest into the right lifestyle choice that reflects his and her personality, embraced the quirks of setting shop in my hometown. . A spatial design experiential retail store, AND SO that has so soon become the talk of the talk. It should!!
Founded in 2018 by design disruptor, Founder and Chief Curator, Anjali Mody, AND SO tries to answer key questions related to home experience and design. What is the changing definition of home in modern India? How do we define our personal spaces? Why do inanimate objects bring us pleasure? As a home-owner myself, we are all too familiar with these questions having stressed over styling our homes with choices that are an extension of who we are. And the `under one roof answer’ is here.
Based in Porvorim-Goa, AND SO is a newly minted design atelier where homeowners will find a one-stop solution to furniture and aesthetic needs. Drawing on traditions and fired up by modern innovation, AND SO will be an intersection between storytelling and design, set in salon-like environment, where design authors will advise and mentor interior choices over a cup of coffee.
Coming from a place of passion for spatial design in all its forms — whimsical, functional, awe inspiring or downright disruptive — AND SO is a platform where new age designers, age old craftsmen and conscious curators will come together to make design accessible, slowly breathing life into rare (and often, forgotten) crafts of India through carefully curated pieces. Sourcing raw materials locally and ethically with fair compensation for everyone in the supply chain, the AND SO design philosophy is to allow the customer an array of possibilities without breaking the bank. Hence making this flagship store an unconventional retail experience, a place that evokes curiosity and opens up the mind to new possibilities, making every curated piece a conversation, a story-telling interaction between space, customer and creator.
Says Founder & Chief Curator of AND SO, Anjali Mody,“I am absolutely delighted to be launching AND SO, an alternative retail store which is a one-stop solution for the contemporary customer’s space design needs. AND SO will bridge the gap between an aspirational life and that of reality. Growing out of a pure need to have ease of comfort in shopping, we want to be able to provide a space that allows customers to buy everything under one roof. And So is also a collective of designers, with strong & interesting stories to tell. The store caters to a multitude of brands from across the world, specialising in well crafted, good quality pieces ranging from furniture, lighting , accessories, art , carpets, linen and even plants.”
A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, USA, a well-heeled globe trotter herself, Goa, naturally, was Anjali’s first choice.“We aim to create new ways of experiencing retail, to design collective thinking and practices that step beyond the boundaries of individual studios. Our vision is for AND SO to become the voice and platform that allows people from different practices to come together to create products that are thoughtful and delightful. Goa is especially dear to us for the people it attracts, its melting pot of ideals and consciousness towards the art of making and the environment. Our group of artisans will flourish here with the efforts we put forth towards their growth,” she shares.
Adding creative heavy weight to the design philosophy of AND SO in Goa, is Anthony Kordolia, Chief Head of Production, who will oversee manufacturing processes in Goa inspired by the landscape, the art and culture and world savvy vibrancy of the State of Goa. “Goa has been the land of magic and inspiration to many for decades. She attracts people from all over the world who possess multiple talents based on various mediums. By having a state of the art factory to play with, AND SO becomes the beacon of fun and well built products. It will not only help the State by employing many, but also put Goa on the map for incubating thoughtful designers and makers. In the end if you are in India, it just better be in Goa,” says Anthony. And we concur.
Happy home shopping then.
AND SO is located at FC Goa House, Delta Centre, H.No.850, Off N.H.17, Defence Colony, Porvorim, Penha de França, Goa- 403251.
Store timing: 10am – 7pm
Store Contact: +91-8323915770
Shop online at www.andso.in
