Allen Solly

Till I walked in, the only things I knew about Allen Solly was that it had Fleur Xavier as a model, it introduced formal women's work wear, and the name vaguely reminded me of a Japanese apologising. I learn much more talking to the sauve manager, who later hands me a company newsletter which reveals the entire Allen Solly philosphy.

The brand, like Louis Philippe, Van Heusen and St. Jeans, belongs to Madura Garments, and has since been bought over by the Birla Group's Indian Rayon. In addition to its Friday Dressing concept is now its "Clean Jeans" idea - Jeans which are made from very light (L1oz) denim, and have no leather patches or rivets. Jeans, in other words, which you can wear for work. I can almost hear thousands of enthusiastic call center / BPO employees endorsing this revolution. Ideally combined with Allen Solly uncrushable shirts or Seersearcher shirts, Clean Jeans should take the cordite & Wild West, which has given conservative bosses so much angst, out of the offices.

The "colonial" range of shirts claims to be a new blend of cultures & East-West fusion. And with a complete range of core trousers starting from entry level Microfibre Chinos to the super-premium Prodigy range, Allen Solly seems to have just about everything covered - literally.

For any hard-earned buck, however, the women's office wear collection is the best bet. I have always been a silent cheerer of women's lib ever since I learnt I could now borrow cigarettes freely from girl friends, and the range, comprising exciting names like Zen Liners, Boomerang, The Retro Collection and Menano, gives working women a lot to choose from and a whole new freedom.

Also thrown in are Allen Solly Carry Alongs, women's handbags, ranging from Rs. 595 to Rs. 1,495. For more detail, do call, email or just land up to check out this exciting name & range which dates back to Nottingham, 1744AD. Shades of Robin Hood?