SRK Doesn't Overshadow My Work: Gauri

Shah Rukh Khan might be in the spotlight 24x7, but wife Gauri Khan likes her privacy and doesn't believe in making a noise about what keeps her busy. Gauri Khan, who is easily one of India's most stylish women has a very creatively charged mind and recently launched her new store called The Design Cell in South Mumbai. The store, which is the brainchild of Gauri, houses design elements and objects from across the globe as well as showcases work of upcoming Indian designers. Gauri has also associated herself with an NGO called Round Table India and through this she will be supporting the cause of providing education to underprivileged children.

At a preview tour of The Design Cell, Indiatimes.com spoke to Gauri Khan on the inspiration behind this store, and also found out whether her superstar husband shares this passion for interior design.

Gauri, what was the thought and driving force behind launching this store?

It's my passion! This store essentially showcases a lot of collectibles. Also I have Aakash and Poonam, two upcoming designers who will be displaying their stuff. Basically it's about a lot of young and creative heads coming together.
I would love it if any young, upcoming designers want to display their products here. If they can't afford to open their own store, they can do a collection at our store and sell from here. So it's nice to provide such a platform.

Have you personally been part of selecting what's on display?

Yes everything. The whole store has been handpicked by me!
A lot of the stuff has been made by me - The furniture has been designed by me and then there are also things I have collected from different places. So the collection is a nice mix.

And have you always had this love for interior design?

It's always been there. I have been doing up my home as well as some other projects, so I have been in it for a while.

A lot of star wives get into the interior designing space. Is it because, you'll are constantly surrounded by a creative environment?

Exactly. And it also happens when you travel so much. I used to paint earlier, and then I started this when I designed my homes. But people who used to come over, loved it so much that they offered me projects.
So there is no elaborate preplanned thought behind it.
It's just that when people appreciate your work, the hobby becomes a passion and eventually a profession.

What was the reason behind involving this NGO in your initiative?

I have been doing projects out of my home for a while, but that's been more personal. Now I am out-there. So when you do something in a public space it becomes easier to support a charity, and let the work speak by creating awareness in the media.
The store as such is not directly linked to it, but I support Round Table and I am certainly a part of their initiative.
(On becoming the Brand Ambassador for RTI, Gauri Khan says, "I truly believe in their cause of educating underprivileged children and giving them a new and assured future. I will also try and involve my friends and family from the industry to help in this great cause wherever possible").





Nikhil Jain,Table Chairman Pune- RTI; Prashant Agarwal, Area Chairman - RTI; Akash Mehta,
Tabler -RTI; Harish Shenoy,President - RTI; Gauri Khan, RTI Brand Ambassador


Would it be right to call the collection an extension of your personality and taste?
Ya, of course, absolutely! This store is a blend of various kinds of styles and products.

What kind of positioning are you looking at for the store?

The price points range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 15 lakhs. The chair we are sitting on is Rs 30,000. So it's for everyone. I would say that the things made in India are really very well priced.

When you are selecting for your store, are you comfortable picking up something that may be creative but not very high-end or super-luxurious in terms of price?

Yes obviously. But you see, stuff made in India is always relatively cheaper than what you pick from abroad.

Sometimes star wives prefer to keep their famous husbands away from their projects. Kiran Rao launched her own production house as she felt Aamir Khan's star power would be too overwhelming for the kind of films she wants to support. What's your reading on star husbands overshadowing the work of their wives?

Kiran is into filmmaking, so there is a difference in the two scenarios.
Shah Rukh has come here only once...He should anyways do that na? I don't see his presence overshadowing my work. I mean Shah Rukh is not going start making sofas and coffee tables!
So he in no way takes away from the limelight. There is no way you can compare Shah Rukh's works with mine. I am just doing this for my passion.

Any expansion plans for your store?
I have been offered to open stores internationally, but I would prefer to talk about it once it happens.

Shah Rukh Khan always says that he is very simple when it comes to style, and jokes that he has just those few suits which he wears everywhere! Is he just being funny and would you say that deep down inside he is extremely aware about style?

Ha Ha Ha. See he has a style sense, but he has no time. If he ever repeats outfits it's only due to the lack of time.

So is SRK interested in interior designing as well?
He is fully into everything and interested in all that's going on.

http://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle...hahrukh-doesnt-overshadow-my-work-130497.html

Gauri Khan's wanted a low key inaugural for her new store's opening
Monday, February 24, 2014 - 08:15 IST Updated: Sunday, February 23, 2014 - 18:50 IST | Agency: DNA



Those who are wondering why Gauri Khan's new store opening was not star-studded with the who's who of the film industry showing up to wish her luck at the launch, here's the answer. The elusive Mrs Khan wanted it that way. So when her friends suggested that they wanted to host the opening of the store, she was happy to let them do it. Her filmi friends, who matter to her, attended the pooja in the morning before the shutterbugs got there. That's Gauri'style: Understated.

http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainme...inaugural-for-her-new-store-s-opening-1964484