Located in a 200-year-old Portuguese villa in Socorro, Bardez, fashion designer Ritu Beri’s boutique, Escape, is a space where art, fashion, music, and culture come together
RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ
For over 30 years, Ritu Beri has been a leading name in fashion, known for fusing luxury with timeless style. With the opening of Escape, her first store in Socorro, Bardez, Beri set out to create more than a typical boutique. She imagined a space where art, fashion, music, and culture come together to offer visitors an experience beyond shopping.
Escape wasn’t just an idea for Beri—it was a dream, and the name perfectly captures the essence of the space. “I wanted to build a place where people could break free from the ordinary and immerse themselves into a world of creativity,” she shares.
She saw that Goa needed a space like this, where style and imagination could collide. And so, Escape was born.
When it came to choosing a location, Beri was drawn to a 200-year-old Portuguese villa. “It wasn’t a location I actively sought out—it found me,” she says. “Someone approached me, and the moment I saw the villa, surrounded by lush trees and natural beauty, I instantly knew it was meant to be. I couldn’t bear the thought of it being torn down for something like apartments. It felt like the space was calling to me to preserve its history
and heritage.”
The renovation process, however, was no easy feat, but the effort was truly rewarding. “The main challenge was respecting the villa’s history while giving it a modern touch,” says Beri.
Her approach was to introduce contemporary details in a way that complemented rather than overshadowed the villa’s timeless charm. “From preserving the intricate tiles and vintage woodwork to addressing structural quirks, every choice was made to honour its original character,” she says.
The design features a palette of red, white, and black, edgy art, and playful details. In fact, the villa’s red-and-white exterior—Beri’s personal favourite colour combination—sets the tone for the space inside. “Red is bold, passionate, and full of energy, just like Escape,” she explains. “Pairing it with white brings a timeless balance.”
This venture marks Beri’s first experience in designing a public space, and she says, “Diving into interior design has been an incredible journey! Fashion has always been more than just clothes for me—it’s a lifestyle, a vibe, a story. Escape allowed me to bring that to life in a space where every detail encourages creativity.”
She adds that designing a public space is much like curating a collection—finding the balance between bold ideas and practicality. “But Escape pushed me to explore new territory, working with textures, architecture, and heritage to create something inspiring and unforgettable,” she says. “It’s been amazing to infuse my fashion DNA into this space and see Escape take shape.”
The store features Beri’s own resort wear collection, including kaftans, tiered dresses, and embroidered jackets, along with accessories from brands like 5 Elements for footwear, Jasbir Gill for bags, Sanuj Birla’s edgy pop art, and luxury leather pieces from Three Sixty. It also offers a range of gifts, such as pop art prints, fragrances, shawls, and home décor.
One of the boutique’s goals is to provide a platform for emerging talent, and Beri continuously seeks new designers and artists, whether through collaborations or events. “Escape is a place where both established designers and rising stars can shine. Through pop-ups, curated events, and special collections, we’re creating a platform for local artisans and creators to showcase their work.”
Beyond shopping, Escape is an experience. The boutique has a curated cocktail bar and a garden café, which overlooks lush paddy fields. “It’s not just about shopping or eating; it’s about soaking in the energy of Goa and enjoying everything the space has to offer,” says Beri.
What makes her happiest about Escape is how it brings together everything she loves—fashion, creativity, and Goa’s vibrant culture. “The joy comes from seeing people connect with Escape, experiencing it, and making it their own,” she says. “Its charm lies in being unique. It’s meant to be discovered and savoured.”
