Shibani Suctancar and Vikram Phadnis bring to Goa, luxury fashion with Goan sophistication at Risadh Goa – The India Story
Risadh Goa – The India Story distinguishes itself as Goa’s premier luxury multi-designer Indian boutique, showcasing an extensive selection of apparel, footwear, and accessories. This venture is a collaborative effort between Shibani Suctancar and Vikram Phadnis. Shibani’s trajectory to establishing Risadh Goa is rooted in a robust retail background. Originally from Mumbai, she relocated to Goa four years prior to the boutique’s inception. Her professional experience spans 27 years, complemented by a degree in Fashion Design. Commencing as a visual merchandiser at Shopper’s Stop, she progressed into marketing and strategic roles. Her career evolved to encompass business profitability enhancement, a significant aspect of her contribution to the retail sector. Prior to establishing Risadh Goa, she held positions at Aditya Birla Retail and Lake Shore Management, a mall management company.
Personal milestones include her move to Goa in 2020 post Covid, her marriage to Gaurang Suctancar (who is also an investor in the business) and her partnership with Vikram Phadnis, which she believes is instrumental to Risadh Goa’s success. 
The vision for Risadh was to create a comprehensive destination for occasion wear. “Our core objective was to consolidate a curated selection of designers and brands, under one roof, establishing Goa as a premier shopping locale. This initiative aims to obviate the necessity for residents to travel to metropolitan centres such as Mumbai, Bangalore, or Delhi for their sartorial requirements, be it for weddings including bridal and groom’s wear, festive celebrations, thread ceremonies (munjis), which are prevalent in Goa, or even informal gatherings. The Goan social scene is characterised by frequent house parties and themed events within select circles. However, the availability of exclusive merchandise to cater to these occasions has been limited. While generic brands are accessible, a distinct void existed for unique, high-quality apparel. Risadh was established to address this gap, providing an exclusive retail experience tailored to the discerning clientele within Goa,” says Shibani.
In a market increasingly dominated by online luxury retail, Risadh differentiates itself by prioritising unique, experiential customer interactions. A key differentiator is its meticulously curated selection, which undergoes a complete refresh every three months. The boutique showcases over 26 designers and brands, encompassing both men’s and women’s fashion, alongside a range of footwear, bags, and other accessories. They are also introducing a kid’s range soon.
“Our philosophy centres on maintaining a dynamic and evolving fashion landscape within the store. To achieve this, we implement a rotational system, updating both the designer portfolio and the merchandise from existing designers on a quarterly basis. This strategy ensures that our offerings remain current and aligned with prevailing trends. Crucially, customer feedback plays an integral role in shaping our curation, allowing us to tailor our selection to the specific preferences of our clientele,” states Shibani.
At the time of its inauguration in January, Risadh focused exclusively on occasion wear. However, in response to the Goan climate and customer demand, the inventory has expanded to include a substantial selection of cottons for summer and western outfits from Indian designers.
“To maintain a dynamic and engaging retail environment, we implement a 60 to 90 days rotation of our curated designs. Furthermore, we plan to host a series of trunk shows throughout the year, featuring designers not regularly stocked at Risadh. These three-day events will introduce prominent designers to the Goan market, offering exclusive access to their collections,” adds Shibani.
Shibani further highlights, “A distinguishing feature of Risadh is our comprehensive bridal offering, catering to both the couple and their bridal party. We provide customisation and tailoring services to ensure a perfect fit and personalised aesthetic. Moreover, we are committed to sourcing specific designer items for clients. If a desired piece is not currently available in-store, and the customer has seen it elsewhere, we will endeavour to acquire it at the original retail price.” Regarding the diverse collections available at Risadh, Shibani highlights a selection of the designers and brands they stock. Notably, they feature the exquisite designs of Vikram Phadnis himself. They also showcase collections from Swa by Paras and Sonam Modi, Indi Vogue, Indu Abbott, Sawnenchi saris launched by Shweta & Priya Bapat and Gopi Vaid, to name a few. Their portfolio extends to include brands such as Angry Owl, Miramaya, and the esteemed Curio Cottage. For menswear, besides Vikram Phadnis, Risadh offers the eclectic collection of NAD Indian wear and is set to introduce 2 new brands this month. 
Recognising the complexities inherent in sourcing high-quality, authentic Indian designer wear, Shibani prioritises specific criteria when selecting brands and designers for Risadh. “Firstly, wearability is paramount. Many designer garments, while visually striking on the runway, often lack practicality for everyday wear. We ensure that our selections are both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for regular use. Secondly, we meticulously assess how well a designer’s aesthetic aligns with the specific needs of our Goan clientele. To maintain a pulse on local preferences, we conduct ongoing market research.” Prior to Risadh’s launch, they surveyed approximately 150 individuals to identify existing gaps in the market and understand their desired offerings.
The unique climate and lifestyle of Goa significantly shape local fashion preferences. In response, Shibani has developed a strategy to balance the presentation of high-end brands and designer pieces with the provision of practical and comfortable apparel. “A crucial aspect of our approach is the rigorous selection process for incoming merchandise. We do not accept unsolicited items from designers; instead, we require a comprehensive lookbook. This allows Vikram Phadnis to personally curate the selection, ensuring that each piece meets three key criteria: exclusivity, suitability for Goan climate, and affordability. We strive to maintain reasonable price points, ensuring that our offerings remain accessible to a broad clientele, rather than exclusively targeting the ultra-luxury market.”
Regarding the future trajectory of luxury Indian fashion in Goa, and the strategies Shibani is implementing to maintain a leading position; her vision is for Risadh to become the definitive voice of fashion within the region. To achieve this, they are developing a comprehensive suite of online initiatives, set to launch in the coming months. “These digital platforms will serve as a central hub for fashion information, disseminating current trends, colour palettes, and styling advice. We aim to provide accessible guidance on silhouette suitability and individual fashion preferences, ensuring that Risadh’s online presence offers a comprehensive overview of the contemporary fashion landscape.”
Furthermore, at Risadh, they are committed to hosting a series of curated exhibitions, building upon the success of their recent sari exhibition. Risadh – The India Story is founded on the principle of showcasing the rich tapestry of Indian textiles and craftsmanship. Beyond featuring established designers, they will periodically present exhibitions that highlight the diverse handlooms and artisanal traditions of India.
Operating a luxury multi-brand store in Goa presents distinct challenges compared to metropolitan areas, primarily due to population density. On the positive side, while larger cities experience a higher volume of casual browsers, Goa attracts a more focused clientele. Risadh has established itself as a destination store, where visitors arrive with a clear intention to purchase. This distinction has proven advantageous. However, Shibani adds, logistical challenges exist. “The ease of merchandise acquisition and delivery, particularly for bespoke client orders, is less efficient than in major metropolitan centres. Turnaround times are longer than desired. Nonetheless, we are actively addressing these logistical hurdles and implementing strategies to mitigate them.”
A key aspect of Risadh’s future development involves integrating local Goan art and crafts into their offerings. “To this end, we have initiated contact with local artists and designers, inviting them to contribute to our curated collections. Furthermore, we are developing a dedicated line inspired by Goan art. We are currently in the process of establishing partnerships with local painters, with the intention of translating their artistic vision into a unique apparel collection,” adds Shibani.
Regarding future plans, Shibani is considering the South Goa market and has received an investment proposal for a southern location. However, her immediate priority is to solidify the presence and success of the existing store before pursuing further physical expansion. “Simultaneously, we are developing a robust online retail platform. Our aim is to provide a seamless and efficient online shopping experience, akin to on-demand delivery services. Customers will be able to browse our collections, place orders, and receive deliveries promptly. For customers who have previously visited our physical store, we will retain their measurements, enabling us to offer tailored alterations and same-day delivery.”
Risadh is poised to redefine the luxury shopping experience in the region, celebrating the rich tapestry of Indian fashion while catering to the discerning tastes of its clientele.
