Nappa Dori opens London store, first shop in Europe

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
May 12, 2019

India’s Nappa Dori has opened its first European boutique with a debut in London’s Seven Dials area. The fast developing area has become a magnet for high-end and premium stores with accessories proving particularly popular in the area. And its historic architecture works well for retailers looking to make an impact without opening giant megastores.

The luxury leather goods brand has opened at 15 Monmouth Street, in a two-storey, 1,400 sq ft space.

The nine-year-old brand, whose name is Hindi for ‘leather and thread’, was founded in Delhi by designer Gautam Sinha with “inspiration drawn from the history, mysticism and vibrancy of India.” It specialises in handcrafted bags and luggage, as well as accessories, stationery and homewares, all of which are available in the new space.

The new location is a big move for the company with its retail stores currently concentrated on its domestic market. It has seven locations across India and a destination store in the Maldives, but also has major collaborations with “like-minded brands” including Kiehl’s, Qatar Airways and Chivas Regal.

The new London store features its café concept Café Dori, as featured at the Indian flagship, to help add an experiential element to the London debut, as well as boosting dwell time. It serves traditional beverages such as chai tea.

Addy Williams, Senior Retail Portfolio Manager at Landlord Shaftesbury, said: “Nappa Dori is an exciting addition to the international imprint amongst Seven Dials’ curated mix of tenants. This opening reflects the increase in brands selecting this West End destination for debut UK and European stores, following in the footsteps of  leading brands such as Away and Beast.”

Gautam Sinha added that the high volume of tourists and locals who frequent the streets of Seven Dials “made it the obvious choice for our first UK and European venture. Embarking upon this new market is a natural next step and has always been a key goal for our business.”

The opening coincides with the strategic repositionings of heritage Italian shoe brand Superga and independent eyewear label Ollie Quin to new units on Seven Dials’ Neal Street.