A Kochi shopping guide for when you’ve had your fill of the art

If you were to take a walk down Fort Kochi this time of year, you’d find yourself breathing in a thick, heady cocktail of sea salt, coffee, spices, and fresh paint. During the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, this sensory hum reaches a fever pitch as South Asia's largest contemporary art festival draws the world to Kerala’s shores. But as any seasoned visitor knows, the art of the biennial isn’t just found on the gallery walls or spirited performances. It is also in the act of slipping away from the crowds of Aspinwall House to a sun-dappled courtyard or a boutique offering limited-edition collections—in search of style. And Bose Krishnamachari, co-founder and president of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, would agree. This year, the most modish escapes lead to spaces that mirror the biennale’s own soul and its theme, ‘For the Time Being’—a celebration of the slow, the handmade, and the charm of finding joy in the moment. Take your pick:

Pepper House

When Pepper House served as a warehouse, boats carrying raw spices from various parts of Kerala would sail through the Periyar and dock near the warehouse. The goods would then be taken into big halls in the building, where they were sorted and processed. Today, the 14th-century wood, laterite, and lime edifice is home to a design store that hosts collections of Indian lifestyle brands and unique products by artists from across the country. Think graphic crop tops from Motherland, painterly dresses from Cord Studio, and colour-blocked looks from Lovebirds. Accessories range from jewellery to embellished filigree jootis, handmade kantha brooches, and an indie zine corner that houses the work of creatives from and beyond Kerala. Don’t forget to pick up a tote bag that announces to the world that you were at the Biennale this year.

The Nod recommends: Eco-friendly totes by The Burlap People that support fair wages for the skilled artisans from Bengal who make them

Address: 11/10 A&B, Calvathy Road, near Hotel Seagull, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala - 682001. Open 7 days a week, 11 am to 7 pm

Kada Annahmol

Kochi native designer Annah Chakola Annahmol’s brand, Kada Annahmol, will open in its new location in early February 2026. This year, alongside official Kochi-Muziris Biennale merchandise, the shop brings together crafts and design from across India: indigenous cotton scarves, hand-painted glassware inspired by the flora of Kerala using traditional Kashmiri techniques, and a strong focus on recycled and upcycled objects. There are Kerala-centric keepsakes—from wild turmeric and forest honey sourced from the Western Ghats to clean skincare made in Kerala and Dharamshala. “We are also working with glass makers from Firozabad on custom magnets and jewellery. Everything in the shop is handmade, with craft at its core and design as a quiet, thoughtful layer. There will also be a curated selection of books, and the shop itself will remain fluid and ever-evolving—much like the Biennale,” says Annahmol.

The Nod recommends: Handwoven fans to beat the heat while you traverse Kochi

Address: Aspinwall House, River Road, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi - 682001. Open 7 days a week, 10 am to 6 pm

Salt Studio

Conceptualised by co-founders Diya and John, Salt Studio—named as a tribute to the understated, minimal lifestyle of Kerala and to the idea of preservation—is located in the upscale Panampilly Nagar neighbourhood. Here, expect to stumble upon untold artforms and folktales of Kerala, reimagined through elevated daily wear, often with asymmetric drapes and earthy textures. Look beyond clothing here too, as Salt offers a curated selection of statement jewellery and unique hair accessories, as well as products from sustainable and eco-friendly Indian brands. Their special Biennale edit, titled ‘Opera of Kerala’, is inspired by Chavittu Nadakam, a centuries old coastal theatre form from Kochi that blends music, dance and drama with powerful foot stomping. Born during Portuguese rule, this rare tradition blends Kerala’s high energy martial arts with European fables, and is performed by fisherfolk. These stories are crafted by local artisans into exquisite corset dresses, cotton midis, silk tunics and Kasavu bustier skirt sets. The Spring-Summer ‘26 story also features handwoven tote bags, beaded hand cuffs, braided hair ties and capes, and tasseled scarves that add a burst of colour and flare to the wardrobe you might have already packed for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale.

The Nod recommends: The Swarangi blue green ombre kaftan with delicate zari detailing, in a breathable cotton-silk blend, perfect for a fit that takes you from day to night.

Address: Panampilly 5th Cross Rd, KV Nagar, Panampilly Nagar, Ernakulam, Kerala 682036. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm

Alka Hari x Found Objects

Inside Presidency Artotel, featuring lotus ponds, murals, sculptures, and art, Kerala-based craft-focused label Alka Hari and home decor and curios brand Found Objects come together with artist Vineetha Menon to create a unique pop-up specially curated for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. “Locally sourced handloom silk and cotton shirts and dresses sit well beside artefacts born out of imprints from palace ruins and ornate doorways from Southern India,” says Laxman Devadas, co-founder of Alka Hari. There are exquisite light fixtures, statement mud-wrapped vases, and handmade pouffes to take back home—and they offer courier services around the country if you want to save on excess baggage. Most garments in the store by Alka Hari are custom and not listed on their website or found elsewhere, created with textile traditions from various parts of India.

The Nod recommends: Naturally hand-dyed khadi denim-fleece jackets with tangalia embroidery, with only two pieces made from each fabric

Address: Presidency Artotel, No. 2/126 to 130, Calvathy Road, Circle, Fort Kochi, Kochi - 682001. Open 7 days a week, 9 am to 8 pm

One Zero Eight by Save The Loom

A unique concept store and experience centre in Fort Kochi, One Zero Eight by Save The Loom celebrates India’s rich handmade crafts, textiles, and design. What began as a 2018 emergency pop-up by Ramesh Menon, founder of the NGO Save The Loom, to support weavers devastated by the Kerala floods has since evolved into a permanent fixture in 2023. One Zero Eight is housed in a beautifully restored Portuguese villa showcasing established and emerging Indian designers, natural dyes, slow fashion, and a platform for art, craft, and design conversations, acting as a “store of stories” for conscious craftsmanship. Through the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025, the space plans to host a series of pop-ups and collaborative projects; we’re looking forward to The Mundu Project scheduled for early 2026, which will see labels like Khanijo, Divyam Mehta, Akaaro, and Antar-Agni participating.

The Nod recommends: Look out for their indigo dyeing workshops on their Instagram page, which are a fun and enriching way to shift from seeing to doing

Address: Door No CC 1/1161 Njaliparambu Junction, Kunnumpuram Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi - 682001. Open 7 days a week, 10:30 am to 7:45 pm

Parishka: Biennale 2025-26 Edit

Kochi-born organic cotton and linen brand Parishka, founded by natives Anitha and Rajni, are perfect for art-hopping in the sweltering heat. Think locally sourced and woven organic fabrics in modern silhouettes and textures—from dresses to oversized shirts, co-ord sets and everything in between. Their special edit, conceptualised for the Biennale, features bright pops of colour among a selection of minimalist and muted hues. Bonus: the pop-up is being hosted at Trouvaille Café, Fort Kochi, so you can pick up a cup of coffee while you shop.

The Nod recommends: Their three-piece co-ords with quirky patterns

Address: Trouvaille Café, Princess Street, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi - 682001. Open 7 days a week, 10 am to 10 pm

Rouka by Sreejith Jeevan

Launched in 2013, Rouka by designer, and flagbearer of dolce far niente, Sreejith Jeevan, is a sustainable label built on the spirit of co-creation. Inspired by its name—meaning ‘bodice' in Malayalam, and ‘corridor’ in Japanese—the brand serves as a passageway between the local craftsmen and the global wearer. Rouka is rooted firmly in Kochi’s heart, finding inspiration while mindfully giving back to the community it builds from. Post 2018, the traditional Kasavu underwent an evolution under Jeevan’s vision. Born from a commitment to flood rehabilitation, his work focused on modernising the ceremonial sari to ensure the craft remained relevant and sustainable. Through his partnership with the Chendamangalam cluster, he turned a moment of crisis into a movement of empowerment, bringing national recognition to the region’s master weavers. When you imagine Rouka, think handwoven cotton, unfinished edges, flax weaves and meticulous appliques in every silhouette and form—from saris to tunics, scarves to shirts. There are one-of-a-kind mundus that are for the cool and brave, with kolam patterns, paisley motifs, musical notes, and Malayalam alphabets embroidered in the classic gold-plated copper threads of Kasavu.

The Nod recommends: The Thread Flourish handloom sari bag with appliqued and embroidered floral details, perfect to keep all your stylish treasures safe and cosy.

Address: Durbar Hall Rd, opposite Rama Varma Club, Pallimukku, Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala 682016. Open 7 days a week, 10:30 am to 7 pm