Accessories to raise the bar

A few years ago, at a friend's party, Deepak Whorra overheard Sharmila Tagore say, pointing to a bar accessory, that she had something identical that she had picked up from Peter Jones in England.

Whorra, who is a partner at the House of Whorras, involved in the silver business for generations, couldn't resist telling her that it was he who had supplied the stuff to Peter Jones. It was then that he realised that Indian consumers had become discerning; and he set up his outlet Episode, which offered the same design-led high quality silver accessories that he supplied to Lambert (Germany), Sabattinni (Italy), Vera Wang (USA), Elcorte Ingles (Spain), as well as Peter Jones.

While Whorra claims to be doing brisk business in all kinds of silver products in India, bar accessories alone, he says, account for more than 20 per cent of sales. "It's become not just fashion but a passion to own classy bar accessories," says Whorra. "While earlier, people just had an eye for traditional ice buckets and champagne coolers, now the trend is more towards contemporary design-led accessories."

That explains why designers at Episode have churned out more than 200 kinds of innovative accessories to be used at the bar, including products like bottle stoppers, stirrers, cocktail picks, water, soda or juice beakers and pitches, ice tongs, wine coolers, peg measures, coasters, toothpick holders, beer mugs, tumblers and wine goblets.

Episode's bar products experiment with unusual uses of everyday forms, for instance an oval basket-like design has been an inspiration for a set of wine coolers and ice buckets, or a hat on a stand as a cocktail pick.

Check out the unique stirrers, cocktail picks and bottle stoppers inspired by nature for Rs 250 onwards. A set of four sterling silver cocktail picks comes for about Rs 1,200. "Material combinations are interesting ways to reduce cost and add a fancy element. Our glass-clad silver coasters that cost Rs 1,400 for a set of two have been a big hit," says Whorra, who claims his products follow international standards and safety norms. "All products are tested for the California Prop 65 standard, the highest food safety standard in the world."

While it's glass and silver coasters that are hot picks from Episode, check out the champagne flutes and wine glasses with unique gold gilding at Frazer & Haws. "We have an eclectic range of bar accessories that trace intricate surface finishes in neat lines and individualistic patterns. While some products trace a delicate classic form with gold gilding on the inside, others, like the 'Ice Bucket Nuts and Bolts' have a solid feel,"says Archana Singh, executive director, F&H.

The wine and champagne glasses, she says, remain perennially popular as they make great gifts. Ice buckets and champagne coolers are more for personal buying as they have a higher price tag, starting from Rs 70,000. It's the wine corks and cocktail stirrers that are extremely affordable, at Rs 600 onwards.

"Every piece is painstakingly handcrafted and hallmarked with 92.5 per cent sterling silver," claims Singh. The champagne pail in classic lines with parallel lines engraved for special effect comes for Rs 92,865.

While silver has its own classic touch, bar accessories in stainless steel are as much the rage. Magppie, a name identified with premium stainless steel accessories, has come up with its new range of coloured steel accessories, comprising a bar stool set, wine cooler, cocktail shaker and ice bucket among others.

"Created by the brains of NID and NIFT and our in-house designers in Denmark, Germany and India, these accessories are not only trendy but also appeal to the five senses," says Arun Garg, director of Magppie's domestic market. A complete range of bar accessories is reasonably priced between Rs 200-5,000. The range is available at exclusive Magppie stores and stores such as Ebony, Shopper's Stop, Westside and Lifestyle.

"The critical success factor in our industry is innovation," says Vinod Jain, head - international marketing and product designs and development, Magppie. "Since this is a fashion-oriented business, you have to constantly bring in new materials, production techniques and designs," he adds.

Meanwhile, yet another designer who can satiate your thirst for classy bar accessories is Alex Davis, the versatile designer who specialises in steel but experiments with river pebbles, glass and wood as well to create products with high aesthetic value. His wine racks, which ensure that wine remains in the right tilted position are not only functional, but act as standalone decor items.

A rack for four bottles comes for Rs 2,500 while the bigger ones accomodate upto 18 bottles. "We design the accessories and make it ourselves," says Davis, "They may be a little expensive because most of them are limited editions," he adds a little apologetically.