Contraditions

They say the name came about from 'Confluence of Traditions'. I never knew our tradition was so expensive.

The brainchild of Prashant Agarwal and Ashwin, Con'traditions is situated on the busy Raj Bhavan road, to attract the cream of Hyderabad. At least those with well-padded wallets. And if you're one of them and have not yet been here, it's maybe because you weren't wearing the thick glasses needed to spot this inconspicuously screaming closet at the end of the road. Much like our culture and tradition.

Initially intended to be a boutique for both men and women, the store realized all too soon that women are rather finicky about what they wear. Thinking it easy to specialize in men's formal wear, it surged into the market, seizing all the high-flying MLAs and actors. They have Balakrishna, for example, getting a whole consigment to flaunt in one of his voluble song-sequences. And there's Chanti Adala, a film producer, who buys well over 10 shirts in one go every time he visits the shop. Nevertheless, they do take up contracts for weddings.

Apart from providing in-house services, Con'traditions stocks a whole range of formal wear by various brands such as Tuskin and Mufti, and even Krishna Mehta's creations. A full suit can cost anything between Rs. 6,000 and Rs. 10,000. Traditional Sherwanis start at Rs. 10,000, and can go upto Rs. 22,000. Though the prices might make you drop those thick glasses and hyperventilate quickly, the fabric is of top quality, and its workers can work magic with your outfits. So you can quickly put those frames back on and marvel at the perfect stitching and clothes.

Con'traditions does not shy away from providing the best clothes-shopping experience. They have the most spacious and tastefully made changing rooms in the city. With large marble floors, the changing rooms are done up in simple wood holding an expanse of mirrors. They have lovely round tables placed in front of the different racks of clothes, and even heart-shaped high chairs in the middle of the room.

With the right cosmetic touches, the store does provide some exquisite pieces of work. So what if they are costly? You can just Con'Brace yourself (for the not-so-mere-mortals, 'Continue to Brace').