The world of couture, its intricacies and singular craftsmanship might seem far detached from the routine and quotidian act of buying and consuming a cup of coffee. The former is a once-in-a-lifetime experience while the latter is cherished but often forgotten amidst mundane anxieties. Enter, couturier and creator of all things vibrant, Anamika Khanna whose signature paisleys, use of bright hues and delectable layers of embroidery found a blank slate, courtesy Starbucks India.
To celebrate their 100th store in Mumbai, the coffee giant turned to Khanna—not to create something categorically exclusive, replete with embellished shock value but rather to craft something that captured the city's frenzied energy, albeit in an approachable manner.
Cue an array of denim totes, each with a hyper-local sensibility printed onto its expanse and made timelessly wearable through handles, fasteners, and the visual chaos of lawless prints. Think graffiti-laden streets of Bandra, the incessantly satisfying mayhem of Andheri, or the otherworldly and even existential charms of the Mumbai skyline; all encapsulated within 16 capacious caryalls.
For Khanna, this collaboration was at once about the spirit of Mumbai and Starbucks’ growing omnipresence as it was about a creative process that resonated with her emotionally.
“The most interesting thing about working on a collaboration like this is that it challenges you to the core. I get to step out of my comfort zone—beyond the conventional fashion space, venturing into something completely different. For me, everything is an emotional journey and if I can’t resonate with something, whatever the rewards might be, I just won’t do it.” Rightly so, Khanna’s far-from-minimal flair perfectly channels an infectious energy, a sliver of impeccable design transformed into slice-of-life collectables, meant to be worn, withered and generously valued. Owe it to Khanna’s preferred almond milk cappuccino or Starbucks’ mercurial local presence, this association of seemingly far-off worlds only feels natural.
Ahead of the launch of Anamika Khanna + Starbucks, Vogue India speaks to the designer about the joyous process behind capturing Mumbai’s spirit.
Vogue India: What were some of the initial ideas that birthed life into this collaboration?
Anamika Khanna: The whole idea was based around Starbucks’ 100th store milestone in Mumbai. It is a connection over shared belief to tell stories, create memories and connect in ways that eventually reach the heart. It was not just about collaboration or creating a product. It was more of a conversation that deeply delved into our strengths and what we stand for to arrive at an idea that aptly celebrated Bombay, its hyperlocal energy, and its layered localities to provide everyone with a piece of the city.
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VI: What do you love about these denim totes?
AK: So, this tote has different kinds of straps to it and doesn’t limit itself to a specific gender, or age. It’s versatile in its functionality and can be easily translated into different wears—from a picnic to a road trip to the office. The idea was to keep exploring denim and see how far I could take it. Since we’ve done denim lehengas and pantsuits in the past and even combined them with zardozi, it was definitely familiar yet excitingly new. A denim bag is such that wherever I see it, I’d want to buy it irrespective of what style it comes in. Apart from the different handles and size-changing fasteners that I love, we’ve used printing techniques with editions meticulously envisioned after different localities—Worli to Juhu, Chembur to Colaba.
VI: What was the fundamental mainstay that guided your design process?
AK: The fashion quotient always remained at the top of my radar. But beyond that, I wanted to create something practical. I wanted people to use what we’ve created instead of it just lying around. So for us, it was very important to reach a larger audience. It felt natural to intricately explore themes central to Mumbai and its very peculiarly patriotic sense of being—the pride that people feel in being a Mumbaikar. Like the singular existence of the Mumbai kaali-peeli (black and yellow cabs) that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, or when you go to any specific neighbourhood and you’re met with its set of unique flavours and characteristics—we wanted to bring out this energy and spirit tangibly.
VI: If you had to describe this collaboration in three words…
AK: Quick, creative, and caffeinated.
VI: Tell us your favourite drink from Starbucks.
AK: I am a through-and-through almond milk cappuccino girl. It is my go-to order, always.
The limited-edition totes are now available at all Starbucks stores in Mumbai.
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