Warm oak wood floors, plush chairs, flat-panel plasma televisions featuring South Asian fashion shows with models sashaying down long ramps, and a 30-foot runway are just some of the trendy features of Sahil Exclusive Boutique.

Located on Chicago’s famed Devon Avenue, this 6,000 square foot, two-story Indian studio is the first of its kind in North America. Store owner Bhavesh Patel is behind the Indian chic look of the brand new shop, which started out as a small store across the street from its current location.

“We wanted the feel to be what you get in India, without going through the heat, dirt and dust” says Patel.

The atmosphere is client-friendly with wonderful personalized service. Salespeople display designer lenghas, saris and Indo-Western wear as clients, seated across tables, sip tea and soda and pick and choose outfits at their leisure. An exclusive room is set aside for big spenders, who spend thousands on the elite designer lines available at Sahil. Just some of the big names you can find at the store: Manish Malhotra, Vikram Phandis, and Satya Paul. Up and coming designers Shefaali Haegde and Anjali Jani are also available and new designer lines are added continuously. Embroidered jeans, corsets, and t-shirts printed with slogans such as “khubsooraat” (beautiful) and “nakhraywali” (spoiled) are some of the Western pieces available for casual daywear or a night out.

Sahil is a one-stop shop for bridal and trousseau wear. Matching jewelry, shoes, and purses are available for every outfit. Outfits for the groom and the couple’s entire family, as well as groomsmen, bridesmaids, flower girls, and ring bearers are also available, both off the rack and on special order. Also, custom alterations can be done by an in-house tailor.


Sahil’s own signature line is exclusively available at the shop. Plain saris with heavily embroidered blouses in 80 different color combinations are a Sahil specialty. Patel, the head of design for his line, believes that the trends for 2006 include churidar pajamas and baggy patiala and pant-cut shalwars. Colors are bright, with lots of reds and yellows. Bold embroidery in big circles and squares instead of vertical and horizontal designs is the latest approach. Lenghas are wider, stitched with more ghair and kalis.

For clients unable to make it to Chicago, Patel has set up a webcam service. Clients can email Sahil’s staff, who will set up a certain day and time and have ready outfits in the colors and styles the client wants to see, which will be shown through the webcam. Whatever they choose to buy will be mailed to the client.

It’s this type of luxury service and high couture quality that has made Sahil one of the foremost Indian shopping experiences in North America. “We took a mom and pop shop and created a brand that is recognized all across the country,” says Patel.

Sahil Exclusive
2612 West Devon Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659
Phone: 773.338.3636
Fax: 773.338.8282
www.sahil.com