Brands
Kora opens third Tamil Nadu store in Chennai’s Anna Nagar
CHENNAI: Kora by Nilesh Mitesh has given Chennai another reason to dress up. The bridge-to-luxury Indian men’s ethnic wear brand has opened its third store in Tamil Nadu at Anna Nagar, marking a confident step in its growing love affair with the city.
Located on 2nd Avenue, the new 4,200 square feet flagship is both a celebration and a thank you. After the strong response to its Nungambakkam store and steady patronage from across the state, Kora’s latest opening brings its signature craftsmanship closer to North Chennai’s style-conscious crowd.
The Anna Nagar store blends Tamil tradition with contemporary flair. Think refined veshti sets, silk kurtas made for Pongal mornings, pancha and kurta pairings for temple visits, and angavastram-inspired sherwanis that nod to heritage while staying firmly modern. Every piece is designed for today’s man who values culture but prefers clean lines and confident silhouettes.
For grooms, the store is a destination in itself. From luxurious silk sherwanis and designer veshti combinations to sharply tailored Indo western ensembles, Kora offers made-to-measure wedding wear backed by personalised styling consultations. The focus is simple. Honour tradition, look unforgettable.
The founders say the expansion is driven by genuine customer warmth. Chennai, they note, has embraced Kora not just for weddings, but for life’s quieter celebrations too. Opening in Anna Nagar is their way of returning that affection and making the brand more accessible across the city.
Founded in 2011 by designer duo Nilesh Chhadva and Mitesh Sumbad, Kora has grown from a boutique studio into a global name in luxury Indian menswear. Today, the brand operates 28 stores across India, the UK and the UAE, balancing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design at every step.
The Anna Nagar store features dedicated sections for festive wear, wedding collections, fusion styles and classic essentials, along with expert tailoring services. As always, attention to detail is the hero, from fabric selection to finishing touches.
To mark the opening, Kora is hosting launch week celebrations with collection previews, complimentary styling sessions and special offers. The store is open daily from 10.30 am to 9 pm, with appointments available for personalised consultations.
With this launch, Kora continues to do what it does best. Build a bridge between heritage and modern life, one impeccably tailored outfit at a time.
Brands
Home Essentials raises Rs 70 Cr in pre-series B round
360 One Asset leads funding as D2C brand scales stores and supply chain
GURGAON: Home Essentials, a fast-rising direct-to-consumer brand in India’s home and kitchen space, has secured Rs 70 crore in a pre-series B funding round led by 360 One Asset, with participation from existing backer India Quotient.
The fresh capital is set to fuel the company’s next phase of growth, with a clear focus on offline expansion, supply chain muscle, and sharper product innovation. Over the next three years, the brand plans to scale revenue to Rs 500 crore and reach five million Indian households.
Founded in 2024 by brothers Tanishq Jain and Divyam Jain in Gwalior, Home Essentials has moved swiftly from small-town start-up to national contender. Built on a simple but compelling idea that Indian homes deserve products that are practical, pleasing to the eye, and fairly priced, the company has carved out a niche between high-end luxury labels and no-name utility goods.
From airtight storage solutions to ergonomic loose furniture, its design-first approach has struck a chord with a young, aspirational consumer base. In under two years, the brand has served more than a million customers while maintaining strong unit economics and a clear path to profitability.
Offline retail now forms a key part of the growth blueprint. The company plans to operate 20 stores across India by the end of the year, strengthening its omnichannel presence and bringing its tactile, experiential format to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
360 One Asset senior fund manager Sumit Jain said, the brand is reshaping a highly fragmented category with products that combine aesthetics and function. He noted that the founders have demonstrated disciplined execution and capital efficiency while building a business that resonates with modern Indian households.
India Quotient partner Madhukar Sinha, added that the firm backed Home Essentials early after identifying a clear gap in the market for thoughtfully designed yet affordable home utilities. He said the new funding would help the company expand its catalogue and broaden its national reach.
For Home Essentials co-founder and CEO Tanishq Jain, the mission is straightforward but ambitious. He said the company aims to become the go-to destination for well-designed home and kitchen essentials, with experiential stores reinforcing what began as a strong online play.
Co-founder and chief marketing officer Divyam Jain, emphasised that winning in India’s D2C space requires more than sharp branding. A deep understanding of consumer aspiration, tight supply chain control, and operational efficiency are just as vital, he said, describing 360 ONE Asset and India Quotient as partners in building a high-performance organisation.
In a category long defined by cluttered shelves and uneven quality, Home Essentials is betting that good design, fair pricing, and disciplined execution can turn everyday living into a more polished affair.
