Saraogi, Goenka eye foreign shores

KOLKATA: Preeti Goenka of the RPG family and Sumedha Saraogi of the Balrampur Chini family, are exploring waters abroad to stage their art and lifestyle exhibits. Once the market revives to an extent, the duo plan to take off with shows in London and then look at events across Dubai, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong. Goenka and Saraogi are now set to unveil their 12th Stylefile exhibit in Kolkata soon.

���Stepping into overseas territories is definitely part of our gameplan. In fact, we were in talks with a UK company for a tie-up before the market scenario took a downturn. We naturally need to gauge the conditions abroad before taking the final plunge. But, we will certainly venture out abroad with our art and lifestyle shows the moment the market looks up,��� Ms Preeti Goenka told ET.

According to her, the format of the overseas shows will revolve around the layout designed for the events within India. ���It���s invariably going to be a combination of art together with fashion and lifestyle accessories,��� Ms Goenka said.
Ms Saraogi said that despite being in the ���wait and watch��� mode for the time being, both Ms Goenka and she will keep up their interface with outfits overseas to open up fronts for possible tie-ups when the opportunity comes along.

���Amongst other things, we will occasionally travel abroad when we are not staging shows in India to interact with corporates and art set-ups there. This will help prepare the groundwork,��� Ms Saraogi said. ���In step with London, which is our first focus for shows, we are also interested in foraying into places like Dubai, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong,��� she said.

The number of participants in the overseas shows is tipped to be much lower compared to the Stylefile events in India.

���There will be a smaller clutch of participants when we ultimately field shows abroad. Most likely, this number is going to be pegged at seven or eight compared to 30-plus participants, including artists and designers, in our India-based shows at present,��� Saraogi said. ���This is because of logistical reasons. It���s more manageable,��� Goenka added.

Incidentally, the Goenka-Saraogi team are coming up with the 12th edition of their Stylefile Exhibition in the Kolkata on December 5.

It���s six years since they floated the event back in October 2002. The art and lifestyle show will embrace paintings, designer wears, jewelleries, home decors, object d���arts and fashion accessories. The participants this time round are placed at 33.