In Conversation with Dilli Grey

THERE IS A PARTICULAR KIND OF DISCRETION THAT DEFINES BARNES. IT IS A PLACE WHERE FAMOUS FACES BLEND INTO THE BACKGROUND AND THE PACE OF LIFE FEELS INTENTIONALLY SLOWER. FOR VICKIE EL-RAYYES, FOUNDER OF DILLI GREY, THIS “SECRET VILLAGE” FEEL WAS EXACTLY WHY SHE CHOSE TO OPEN HER PERMANENT STORE HERE IN 2020, FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL LOCAL POP-UP.

Recently celebrating her fifth year in the boutique, Vickie reflects on a community that has been remarkably supportive from the start. “When we first opened, it felt like everyone in the village came in to buy something just to make sure we stayed,” she notes. That loyalty was on full display during her anniversary celebrations; longtime customers arrived in such force, and with such extensive personal collections of Dilli Grey, that many had to coordinate their outfits beforehand to avoid matching in the shop.

The brand itself is a reflection of Vickie’s long-standing passion for India, specifically the vibrant use of colour and the effortless way women dress there. Rather than following seasonal trends, the collections are rooted in heritage crafts and sustainability. Every piece is designed by Vickie and made bespoke by artisan partners, ensuring the items remain curated and difficult to find elsewhere. “It’s a slow process,” she explains, “but it allows us to incorporate direct feedback from our clients into the designs, making the pieces feel truly personal.”

When she isn’t in the store, Vickie is a regular at other local independents that make the neighbourhood unique. She cites Nest and Orange Pekoe as her go-to spots for food, and mentions Carmel as a favourite for homewares. For Vickie, it is these independent spirits that keep the community focused and the village feeling like a well-kept secret.

You can find Dilli Grey on Barnes High Street, a small window into the craftsmanship and colour that Vickie has brought from Jaipur to the heart of SW13.