Their designs are original, they have contemporary takes on the traditional, and they are lovely to hang out at and browse in. Here are five independent shops in Kolkata to check out when you go shopping for gifts and souvenirs.
Sienna
This popular boutique and cafe brand is known for a range of distinctive ceramic products that they make in Shantiniketan. The cafe upstairs also serves its food and beverages in these. Set up by a mother-daughter duo, this cosy place stocks clothing (saris, dresses, shirts, tops, and stoles) made with Bengal's signature weaves. The line of ethereal dresses in Jamdani is very popular. As are the block-printed or embroidered stoles. If you have a friend who loves stationery, pick up the notebooks with bright gamchha fabric covers. Another great gift would be something from their jewellery range. We love the earrings and neckpieces made with burnished copper and ceramic stones.
Address 49/1 Hindustan Park, Gariahat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029
Aranya
Located in the state emporium complex of Dakshinapan, this local indie brand has a loyal following of customers who come to pick up their handmade clothes, accessories, and home decor items. We recommend their dresses, kaftans, shirts, jackets, and skirts in handloom fabrics with interesting, edgy cuts and distinctive hand-block prints or embroidery. Definitely pick up some of their handloom saris and blouses. Aranya also has a home decor outlet with signature hand-block curtains, rugs, lampshades, and various home accessories. One perk of hanging out here browsing their collection is the lovely jazz music in the background (they have LPs).
Address Dakshinapan Shopping Complex, 1st Floor, Shop 44, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata
Sasha
This shop is like a mini showcase of handicrafts and handloooms. Shantiniketan leather, pattachitra wall hangings, nakshi katha, children's clothes in organic cotton, embroidered silk stoles... they stock it all. Located on Mirza Ghalib Street (formerly Free School Street), near the Fire Brigade Headquarters, Sasha is the city's first Guaranteed Fair Trade not-for-profit organisation which works with artisans directly and sources their products. There's much to discover or stumble upon here A hand embroidered cushion cover with Kalighat Pat design, a coin box in the shape of a toy engine, a GI-tagged Bengal sari, colourful leather and cane &lsquomora&rsquo, boxes of myriad shapes and sizes, saris and dresses, hand embroidered kantha stitch bed linen, stoles, cushions, totes and purses. Of particular note is their range of kathas and batik leather crafts from Shantiniketan. Their Rasa brand showcases products made from natural and organically grown ingredients, includes spices and herbal teas as well as body care products.
Address 27, Mirza Ghalib Street, Kolkata 700016
Byloom
This boutique in South Kolkata's Hindustan Park area has a variety or rich handloom and handicraft products. They work with weavers in Bengal to create their signature handloom sarees - such as the famous Abir saris. Also check out their range of stoles, dresses, tee-shirts, shirts, and kurtas. The curtains and home linen sport quirky handblock prints of fishes and birds. While here, do not miss having some Bangla snacks (think chop-cutlets and luchi-mangsho) with fragrant Darjeeling tea at the Byloom Canteen.
Address  58 B, Hindusthan Park, Golpark, Hindustan Park, Gariahat, Kolkata 700029
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