Debenhams comes to India

Getting into London, you don’t make a beeline straight for the boutiques of Betty Jackson or Jasper Conran or John Rocha. You do the smart thing — stop off at the high-street first, to check out the same designers’ wares side by side at the big-name department stores.

Now get the same designer lines, right here, with Debenhams opening its first Indian store in Gurgaon.

You won’t want to walk out this winter without a snug-as-a-bug, tweedy funnel-neck coat or pea-green swing jacket. But, it’s the gorgeous partywear that has our Trend-o-meter soaring. Score a classic LBD or pick an evening dress — monochrome flowers with fuchsia sash; chocolate with graphic-patterned border print; or an embroidered field of champagne flowers, from the in-house Début label.

To get your toes toasty fast after that bare-sandal glam night out, there’s microwaveable ballet-style booties — in must-have girly pink. And to sweat off the saketinis the next morning, the chocolate velour sweat jacket from the Maine label is the cuddliest, most stylish arm (and shoulder) candy you could bring along on a morning run.

Cash in the London air ticket. Cruise down to Gurgaon for your right-off-the-runway winter wardrobe update.

Debenhams, Ambience Mall, NH-8, Gurgaon; ph: 0124-4171444, 2562096-99. Prices: From Rs 125 for a pack of 100 Body Shop cotton wool pads to Rs 10,795 for a Betty Jackson Black twill swing jacket.