The Kanvas Girl and other ideas at the Lil Flea Market Mumbai 2015!

3 Feb

A flea market (or swap meet) is a type of bazaar that rents space to people who want to sell or barter merchandise. Used goods, low quality items, and high quality items at low prices are commonplace.

That’s the definition of a Flea Market by our dear Wikipedia. So when my friend asked me on Facebook if we must go for #theLilFlea at Phoenix Mall, I was little wary if the market will stick to its definition. And as expected it didn’t. I mean low prices ? in Phoenix Mall, Lower Parel ? you must be joking !

This Flea market used to take place in reclamation every-year. Its only this year it has shifted in the ‘town area’ of Mumbai.

Temporary Tents hosting the flea market at Phoenix Mills

Using concepts of nostalgia in the contemporary sense and using it for marketing and commercial purposes is what I fathom of these new age brands like Chumbak, Happily Unmarried or Tappu Ki Dukaan. These now well established brands were of course not at the flea market, but similar brands in the making flocked at the central square in Phoenix Lower Parel Mall.

I better not talk about the over priced food here. But the whole purpose of writing this blog is to mention the brilliant ideas that were on display at the flea market. From tear-a-card booklets, to hand crafted show pieces made of natural plant wastes. Irkali Jackets, toran punctuated with small toy brass utensils (bhatukli). A man sold gentleman-ness through this brilliant branding of men’s accessories calling it the Gentlemen’s Community (His dad owns a shop on linking road and the son – that’s him – sells super over priced but unique men accessories out of a quaint trunk.

So did I buy a lot of stuff from the flea market ? Of course not ! Me and my friend, gave into the only unique ideas, A designer student from Rachna Sansad has a quirky stall of greeting cards. Who gifts anyone greeting cards now ? What made her idea so unique is the booklet called until next time.

UNTIL NEXT TIME : Greeting Cards Booklet by Pranita Kocharekar

This book is full of tear-a-card (each page has perforations to ease the tearing). With mundane messages made interesting by her innovative designing skills. About 33 beautiful cards filled with mannerisms, greetings, and messages of love. Priced at 500/- the booklet is a brainchild of Pranita Kocharekar.

Amidst all the ideas tiptoeing from each tent to grab customer’s attention, one face kept shining so bright that I didn’t mind asking her ‘if i can click your picture?’ And she happily posed for me. This girl was the Kanvas Girl. Like all the ants would gather around a crystal of sugar, almost all the women at the flea

Block Print Shoes by Kanvas

market had their heads dunked into the rack of designer footwear. Unconventional designs on boots, shoes and chappals, textured with block prints, and ethnic motifs. They looked as if made out of cotton cottage clothes. Again a brilliant idea and the twinkled eyed idea-waali ! The sizes were out of stock, this young woman kept jumping in and out of her stall, digging into some cartons, to help find out a pair of shoes, the very very demanding women customers were asking for. She was harrowed, so much, that when I butted in to ask if another pair of my foot-size existed, she replied, (with a smile) “if you find a pair that fits you, just take it, don’t think! All the stuff is getting over.” Me – “Do you have any stock coming in tomorrow?” She – “No No, I don’t have any more stock!” (still with a smile)

Komal and her shining smile

Komal Panchal has a shop in Kandivali and a Facebook page too. Snapping out of the candid pose, she gave me for a pic, she asked me to like her page on Facebook. Which I did just before writing this blog. (https://www.facebook.com/KanvasKloset?fref=photo)

Happy to Shop ! Happy to Write !