New Fabrics, Fresh Ideas & a 6p Ferry

Greetings from Serampore,

I hope you guys are trading well and enjoying the run-up to Halloween. It’s our busy season, and this year it feels like fun to me. Plenty is happening, plenty to do, and lots of new things are coming together.

We’re staying with Mr Chatterjee, our India agent, in his fairly new apartment right on the banks of the Ganges. This week we’ve been working at the textile factory, developing the next wave of ideas. Toni is here from Spain, along with Bondhan, our man in Indonesia and, for this trip, our chief on-the-spot designer. A dangerous combination when there are this many beautiful fabrics within reach.

Last week we were in Kathmandu, and I was telling you about the wise owl we met and the living goddess we caught a glimpse of. If you missed it, you can catch up here.

Well, we had to drag ourselves out of bed at 4am to catch the early Buddha Air flight down to Kolkata. I was on this very flight only a few weeks ago, so I’ve now made a full circuit, this time with Toni and Bondhan. The airline may be named after Buddha, but getting up at that hour does test your inner peace.

Mr Chatterjee was waiting for us at the airport and brought us back to Serampore. It was great to see the whole team again, and especially good to find the products we developed on the last trip already in full production. Ideas becoming actual things, in the hands of the people who know how to make them. Always a lovely part of this job. Mr Chatterjee - always on the phone!

And we’ve been working hard on what comes next. Mr Chatterjee had taken himself off to Jaipur to visit a factory producing the famous Jaipur quilted cotton, and returned with all sorts of possibilities. Beautiful colours, lovely patterns and so many things we could make with it. It’s rather like being given a new toy to play with… although our toys tend to turn into purchase orders. Stand by for some lovely new lines.

Last night we had dinner at The Denmark Tavern. Regular readers may remember my stays there over the years. It’s a historic tavern on the riverbank, dating back to the days when this part of India was under Danish control. An Englishman, Mr Parr, opened it around 1786. These days it’s beautifully restored and run by the Park hotel group.

The Denmark Tavern.

The staff were so happy to see us, and it felt like old times. Some places become little landmarks in your working life, and this is certainly one of mine.

After dinner we walked along the riverbank to the local ferry quay. For eight rupees—about six pence—you can join the locals and ride across to the other side of the Ganges. Surely a contender for the cheapest little river adventure in Asia. This time we stayed ashore, chatted with people and soaked up the evening atmosphere.

The cheapest ride in Asia? 8rp - 6p. Ferry across the Ganges.

What can I tell you about Serampore? The people are still as gentle and welcoming as ever. The streets are still noisy at all hours. It’s a chaotic jumble of horns, traffic, people and everyday life, with the great river rolling past it all. But you’ve got to love it.

It’s Bondhan’s first visit to India, and he’s soaking it all up. Plenty of inspiration for a designer, although I suspect even the colour charts struggle to keep up with this place.

Tomorrow we move on to Delhi. More people to see, more ideas to chase, and no doubt a few surprises along the way. Full report next week.

Meanwhile, back at your end, Halloween is creeping closer and Christmas won’t be far behind. I hope the season is bringing a good buzz to your shop. Have a look at the new arrivals and deals below—hopefully there’s something to catch your eye and keep your customers coming back.

Thanks, as always, for being part of the adventure. Wishing you a busy, happy weekend from all of us here on the banks of the Ganges.