Shopping in Pondicherry (French Colony) – Boutiques, Street, Crafts etc.
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Pondicherry has a rich history of crafts, art and fashion. Famous Hidesign International brand originated from here. Golden Bridge Pottery is from Pondicherry; people who want to learn ceramic Pottery visit Golden Bridge Pottery. So many fashion designers have their shops in Pondicherry and Auroville.
Pondicherry artisans also have a rich history as they make traditional Terracotta works, which date back to 2000 years old and Paper mache sculptures craft works, which are 300 years old. Both got the geographical indication (GI) tagged a few years back. I have tried my best to cover all the stores you can shop in Pondicherry in the article below.
Shopping in White Town and Boulevard
Hidesign
Hidesign Flagship store is located in Nehru Street, Pondicherry. Hidesign is a famous international brand that started its journey from Pondicherry. Hidesign has products like bags, belts, garments and other leather products. Dilip Kapur is the founder of Hidesign. During his early days, Dilip Kapur went to the USA to do a PhD in International Affairs and joined a leather factory in the USA as a part-time job. After his studies, Dilip Kapur returned to Auroville and started making handcrafted leather bags as a hobby. His passion for leather made him begin his famous “Hidesign” venture with a two-person artisan workshop with an investment of Rs. 25,000.
Hidesign became famous among the tourists who visited Auroville and took the Hidesign brand to the nooks and corners of the world. Hidesign generates Rs.170 crores gross turnover now, and the company now has 1400 employees with 102 exclusive outlets and 112 large departmental stores around the world.
Booking.comNaushad Ali – Designer Store
Naushad Ali store is housed in a residential house on Rue Surcouf in White Town. Naushad Ali is a fashion designer who graduated from NIFT. He works with artisans from India who focus on their traditional techniques for sustainable fashion. He takes inspiration from Franco-Tamil culture, which is reflected in his fabrics. He was awarded Grazia Magazine’s Young Sustainable Designer of the Year in 2016, won the ‘Sustainable Wear’ award at the Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort in 2017, Elle India’s Sustainable Designer of the Year in 2019, and was shortlisted to represent India in the International Fashion Showcase (IFS) in London, 2019.
Naushad Ali store is famous for tops, bottoms, dresses for women, shirts, jackets and bottoms for men. It is a flagship designer store, and the cost of the fabrics will be on the expensive side.
Cluny Embroidery Art Society
Cluny Embroidery Art Society is on Romain Rolland Street, opposite Hotel De L’orient. Cluny Embroidery Art Society is housed in an 18th-century bungalow run by the local convent to support the underprivileged women from Pondicherry and Tamilnadu. Cluny Embroidery is famous for home linens with intricate hand-stitched designs. You can buy tablecloths, napkins, hand towels, scarfs, and other linen products during your visit.
Navavihan
Navavihan is located in campagnie st, next to Romain Rolland Library. Navavihan is a division of Mother’s Centenary Memorial Trust of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Navavihan started in 1983 with a team of 4 and has now become a larger team. Navavihan is famous for creative handcrafted items from handmade Paper, wood pulp and other natural materials. They make innovative educational items like kits, books, games, etc.
Sund’art
Sund’art is a small textile cum handicraft shop in Colas Nagar, Pondicherry, close to White Town. They have one of the best collections of handmade plush toys in Pondicherry. They do make laptop bags, pouches, and cushions. You can get customized bags or purses according to your requirements.
Craft Bazaar
Craft Bazaar is in Mahe De Labourdonnais Street, just behind the French War Memorial. Craft Bazaar shops are allocated for the development of Pondicherry artisans by the Government of Pondicherry. You can buy hard leather bags, lamp shades, Pottery works, and Stone sculpture works at this Craft Bazaar.
Terracotta & Craft Shop
Terracotta and craft shops are a series of terracotta shops in Gingee Salai just opposite Auroshikha. These are roadside shops with a good collection of terracotta and night lamps.
Aura Experience Store
Aura Experience Store is located on Rock Beach Road. Aura Experience Store is a division of Sri Aurobindo Society, and its profits are used for social causes. You can buy famous Auroville products like ceramic Pottery, Lifestyle products, lamps, and several musical instruments from the Aura Experience Store.
Meraki Lifestyle Store
Meraki Lifestyle store is in Rue Surcouf (street) in White Town. Meraki Lifestyle store is a flagship boutique store focused on premium clothing, bags, shoes, jewellery, accessories, home decor, gifts, artefacts etc.
Kriti Ecoboutique store
Kirti Ecoboutique Store is the only fair trade shop in Pondicherry. It is located in H.M. Kassim Salai in Heritage Town. Kirti Ecoboutique Store works with 12 different NGOs and sells their products. They aim to empower the tribal communities from all over the country by marketing their goods. Kriti is famous for forest honey harvested by tribal honey hunters, spices, and linen materials—women’s garments, gifts, and body care items like beeswax soaps, balms, etc.
Other boutique stores that you can shop at are Chintz (Romain Rolland St.), Via Pondicherry(Romain Rolland St.), Janaki (Kosakadai St.), Casablanca (Mission St.), etc.
Sunday Market
Sunday Market on M.G. Road is a famous shopping place for the locals. Small stalls dotted the M.G. Road, where you could buy anything from small hairpins to antique wooden tables. All are in one place but only on Sundays.
Nehru Street shopping in Pondicherry is exclusively dedicated to shops where you can shop for footwear, home appliances, fabrics, etc.
