Rina Bhansali

The flagship branch of the department store Harrods, in Knightsbridge, central London, has a reputation for attracting older affluent customers. But this spring its homewares department has put the emphasis on stocking pieces that it hopes will appeal to a slightly younger clientele. The head buyer for home, Rina Bhansali, has put a lot of effort into establishing connections with new design houses, while continuing to liaise with established manufacturers such as English luxury luggage producer Globe-trotter. Her particular interest is in commissioning collaborations between these older brands and young designers, creating products exclusively for Harrods that inject a fresh energy into traditional products. The results, she made clear to me, can be unexpected. But they are equally delightful.