The endless roar of traffic on Chennai’s Whites Road hardly prepares you for the serenity of Amethyst. The concept store housed in a restored warehouse is hard to spot, but the garden that greets you on entering the city’s local treasure is an instant mood-lifter.
Amethyst isn’t merely a shop—it’s an experiential space. Its highlight is Upstairs, a boutique that stocks apparel, accessories, and decor. Find rare art books and tomes from CMYK, jewellery from Amrapali, and home items from Devi Design and Stoffa.
Upstairs is also one of Chennai’s finest fashion stories. Take your pick from designers like Anuradha Vakil, Nachiket Barve, Aneeth Arora, Tarun Tahiliani, and Tulsi by Neeru. The store also hosts special exhibitions and trunk shows.
Perched at the staircase leading to Upstairs, is another offering from Amethyst. Bloom is a flower shop curated with exotic blossoms and floral installations. Want a chandelier made of flowers? You’ll find it here.
Have a coffee at Wild Garden Cafe before you leave. Housed next to Blooms, its ambience is reminiscent of old colonial clubs. Come on a lucky day and you might find an exhibition or book launch too.
When you finally leave (and believe us, it takes a while to exit Amethyst’s rooms and gardens), rest assured Whites Road’s humdrum will do little to dampen the quiet bliss of hours spent in this lovely space.
Visit: Amethyst, Next to Corporation Bank, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600014; Ph: +9144 4599 1633; www.amethystchennai.com
