A Soul-Stirring Affair at the Sampoorn Soul Flea

What a cracking way to end the long Ugadi weekend! I came back today from the Sampoorn Soul Flea absolutely satisfied and delighted having captured its true essence – beautiful fusion of traditional and modern, bohemian chic, eclectic flamboyance, and a vivid colour story all around! Not even the summer sun beating down with all its might upon the Bangaloreans could dampen their spirits to come to CKP! Let me take you on a visual ride to this amazing flea market.

Indigo seems to be the hot flavour of the season what with most of the popular brands pulling out all the stops with their summer apparel and accessories in lovely blue hued Dabu prints.

Featured here – Cool dresses with colourful tassels and bohemian totes with cute pompoms by  Chammak Challo Cool Maal; also, cute skirts, shorts, palazzos, and kurtas at other stalls.

Thought tradition and modern don’t go hand in hand? Think again! I just loved how our talented designers have turned to the age old printing and dyeing techniques to create absolutely wow, modern silhouettes! Featured here: Ikat and Kalamkari dresses by Minugu, chic block printed dresses by the Oomph Street ,and Kalamkari slip-ons by Satva Lifestyle  for the true fashionista! Giving in to my temptations, I got yet another Kalamkari dress for myself 🙂

As if the cool summery dresses weren’t enough, I just couldn’t take my eyes off these beady and metallic beauties! From silver chand balis to tribal neck pieces and from Kalamkari pendants to oxidised white metal anklets, the soul flea was every bit of dream for every woman who loves experimenting with her bohemian side!

Go Organic and Natural! Lots of love, aroma, taste, and natural care bottled up in the form of scrubs, soaps, honey, and even pickles! Face and body cleansers by Cucumber Organics, hand crafted bath and body products by Kalpaviruksham, and cool jams, pickles, honey, coffee, and even pork masala by Made in Coorg.

Little bit of mix and match is the way to go! Seen here –  Rajani Prabhakhar has beautifully combined Ikat with block printed dupattas in her fabulous offering Ira while Shefali from Ranisaa Fabrics redefines Gota patti and Kundan work in stunning Shibori and Leheriya patterns! Did I mention I indulged in some retail therapy at these stalls? Well, I most certainly did! Also loved these gorgeous hand painted Kalamkari blouses!

Bags, totes, cross body, slings with fringes – you name it and they were there! Loved how Chanchal has re-imagined Ikat and Kalamkari in these adorable totes and laptop bags. Aren’t they just lovely?

And if  you thought, I hadn’t picked up anything for all you discerning home decor lovers, well, here’s a little  something for you. Cute utility baskets by Addoz, vivid pendant lamps by ArtyKart and beautiful trays and place mats by Nidhi Khemka.

And a few others that were a treat to my senses 🙂

Lovely decoupaged planters by RTK Creations, up cycled liquor bottles, quirky coasters and wood art by The Fat Elephant, hand painted trays, jackets, kulhad cups, tissue holders, and bangles by Ethniichic, and of course a couple of these colourful cotton rugs I absolutely loved and ultimately bought as a stylish way to beat summer!

I was also enamoured by the kitschy psychedelic stuff put up by Levitate and had to capture them  – dream catchers, colourful little Kavads and quirky T-shirts!

And finally, lots of options for the budding gardener from Zilpakala – loved their hand painted and quirky planters! Also, when I got hungry, I didn’t hesitate even for a moment before devouring Ovenly’s heavenly pound cakes and cookies! Yum!

An uplifting experience, the Sampoorn Soul Flea is truly a divine vision of Shalini Sudarshan’s (missed meeting her this time) love for preserving and showcasing the Indian heritage with an interesting, global twist! No wonder I get drawn to it every single time! Feel free to drop in your comments/backlashes in the section below. Cheers!