News stardom : Kolkata, 14th September, 2025. The House of Rare marked the opening of its largest store in India with Milap, the third chapter of its new cultural platform, RareFore. Conceived by co- founder Akshika Poddar, RareFore is a living space for creators, artists, and storytellers to find communion- a place where art is not consumed but experienced. This edition of RareFore coincided with a milestone moment for the brand: the unveiling of its heritage flagship in a 126-year-old restored landmark on Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata.
The evening unfolded at Rangmanch, Swabhumi The Heritage, beginning with a hypnotic sound ritual of ghungroos that invited the audience into a shared rhythm – a collective awakening to the experiential journey ahead.
What followed was a rare sequence of art forms in dialogue with one another:
A fireside conversation with award-winning actor Shefali Shah, moderated by Akshika Poddar, where she spoke unflinchingly about her approach to roles, her desire for layered characterisation, and her parallel journeys through motherhood, solo travel, poetry, and art.
A dual performance featuring celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer Rukmini Vijayakumar and virtuoso violinist Ambi Subramaniam, accompanied by live percussion and mridangam. Together, they conjured an electrifying harmony of movement and sound – the traditional colliding with the contemporary.
A closing DJ set by global sound artist Teej, whose deep grooves transformed the evening into a collective celebration, blurring the lines between performer and audience.
The gathering brought together an eclectic audience of cultural patrons and tastemakers, including celebrity sari draper Dolly Jain, philanthropist Lata Bajoria, Priyadarshini Ghosh Bawa, and dignitaries from the Consulates of France, Germany, and the UK, along with representatives from the American Centre. Their presence underscored the cosmopolitan spirit of the night – an exchange of worlds where heritage met contemporary voices.
The event was punctuated by cocktails, dinner, and a spirit of exchange. Guests carried home curated giveaways featuring limited-edition creations from The House of Rare, crafted to reflect the ethos of RareFore: art that lingers, memory made tangible.
Co-founder of The House of Rare, Akshika Poddar, said, “When I envisioned Rarefore, I wanted to bring together diverse creators and weave their individual expressions into something larger- an experience that feels layered, immersive, and alive.”
Founder of The House of Rare, Manish Poddar added, “Rarefore is our way of honouring the spirit of art, music, and culture. For us, fashion has never been just about clothing- it’s about emotion, roots, and stories. Rarefore reflects this very philosophy. This platform is our commitment to keep nurturing that dialogue between craft and culture.”
Actor Shefali Shah commented, “As an actor, I’ve always believed that it’s stories that truly allow us to truly connect with each other, with art, and most importantly with ourselves. Rarefore is built on that very belief, and that’s why I’ve been very, very excited to be a part of it.”
Dancer and choreographer Rukmini Vijayakumar shared, “With Rarefore, it’s all about finding the space that celebrated us and then sharing it with everyone else, as artists. It’s a different format that’s bringing classical arts to an entirely new audience, celebrating our love.”
As The House of Rare marks a decade of its journey, RareFore stands as a heartfelt tribute to everyone who has supported the brand along the way. This platform is a sincere expression of gratitude and an ongoing dedication to the realms of art and culture. Looking forward, RareFore will evolve into a cultural series – a canvas for soulful stories and experiences from across the country, unfolding one edition at a time. With each new chapter, it will embrace more voices, richer textures, and moments that inspire awe.
About The House of Rare: Established in 2015 under the Radhamani Textiles umbrella, led by Mr. Manish Poddar (Chairman, Radhamani Textiles) & Mrs. Akshika Poddar (Managing Director, Radhamani Textiles). The House of Rare has bloomed into a multifaceted fashion powerhouse. Housing both Rareism, a womenswear line that embraces contemporary design for the modern woman, and Rare Rabbit, a menswear brand celebrated for defying traditional masculinity through its clothing. As of 2024, the House of Rare has also launched Rare Ones, a kidswear line specifically to cater to boys of age 04-14, and Rare’Z by Rare Rabbit, a footwear line. The House of brands have a thriving E-Commerce presence, establishing it as a leading forces in the representation of Western fashion within the Indian market. Boasting over 200 stores, The House of Rare remains firmly committed to its core principles, ensuring its continued success.
In 2025, the House of Rare launched a cultural platform founded by Akshika Poddar, co- founder of The House of Rare. It celebrates India’s creative spirit through culture, music, food, art, and storytelling -spotlighting those who stay true to their craft. Rooted in detail and emotion, RareFore offers layered experiences that honour the depth of Indian heritage as it travels across the country.
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