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Informing on the integration of art, space, and design, Jimmy Mistry, Chairman & Managing Director, Della Group, stated, “Not just in India, but globally, fashion, art, architecture, and design are evolving from being unidirectional to becoming a holistic 360-degree approach. Seventeen years ago, at a show, we dressed India's top models in architectural and construction materials to showcase this belief. Today, this idea has only strengthened as we've travelled the world to integrate various elements—fashion, art, architecture, interior, and landscape design—into one seamless experience. Currently, we're devel- oping a unique 100-acre township near Alibaug near Mumbai, that embodies this innovative fusion of fashion, art, and architecture.”
Monika Choudhary, CDO & Growth Strategist, Habitat Archi- tects, added, “We are a group of designers from various design disciplines, with a knack for collab- orating on home and hospitality spaces. Although my expertise is in textiles, I'm always eager to infuse those elements into our interiors. Our firm embraces nearly every design aspect except fashion, yet I would jump at the chance to contribute to a multifaceted design space in India. Design encompasses lifestyle, and I constantly strive to integrate beautiful textures, colours, and art forms into our projects.”
Arjun Rathi Principal, Arjun Rathi Design, added, “In India, a design revolution over the past decade has allowed for an exciting blend of fashion, space, and product design. My transition from architecture to lighting design was fueled by a fascination with glass and the need to upskill local talent. Collaborating with international artists has introduced us to new styles and formats, enhancing our creativity. At the glass-blowing Studio, we thrive on experimentation, learning from our failures, and constantly improving. Firozabad is known for its traditional industrial atmosphere, ideal for producing blown glass art. In the beginning, our studio faced numerous challenges in creating compatible glass art. The unorganized glass industry in Firozabad made it challenging to standardize our unique art pieces. As we delved deeper into this fascinating market, our thirst for knowledge grew stronger.
Sharing his opinion on the current state of the industry and how his practice aims to integrate fashion, art, and architecture, Kayur Patel, Founder & Creative Director- Studio Cast Glass India, said, “My journey in glass art began 30 to 40 years ago when a friend gave me a book on the subject, and I spent years learning from it. My first glass piece, a mishmash of design, surprisingly impressed someone who placed a small order, pushing me to create glass from scratch. Despite the challenges, it's been an incredibly rewarding and educational experience. However, the unavailability of raw materials in the country is significantly hindering our progress, leading us to produce items we aren’t proud of. To spark change, we need comprehensive industry knowledge and collaboration across trades and disciplines. Creating glass isn’t just about cre- ativity; it requires a strong grasp of chemistry and math and all the stuff you might've skipped in school. Mastering the secrets of chemicals is essential if you ever want to craft brilliant glass.”
BUSINESS OF DESIGN
Giving an overall view of the transformation the industry has experienced over the years, Santosh Wadekar, Design Director, StudioSW, stated, “Business practices in the design industry have drastically evolved over the last few years. Adapting rapidly, we now create intricate designs at an unprecedented pace. In concurrence, social media has become a crucial platform for visibility and success for design firms. Photography that has always been integral to our profes- sion, has evolved too. Now, it's about capturing emotions and pieces of life, not just documenting projects. Hence, designers, these days, must excel not only in creating spaces but also in storytelling and leveraging digital platforms to gain visibility and impact.”
Nisha Jamvwal, Brand Consultant, Celebrity Columnist & Author, added, “The beauty of this new era is its complete democratization of architecture and design, removing all gatekeepers and allowing creativity and innovation to flourish equally for all. Now, anyone with vision can make a mark, driven solely by their creativity and ability to adapt to evolving technologies. But there are two key points, first, true talent always stands out, giving everyone an equal chance to showcase their abilities. Second, traditional methods like hiring a skilled photographer or print publishing still hold immense value.”
Explaining the significance of storytelling to the clients, Jasmine Jhaveri, Chief Designer and Founder, Jasmine Jhaveri Design, said, “As an interior stylist, my role involves more than surface decoration; it's about creating a synergy between the client and the architect by integrating design elements like carpets, art, textiles, and colors. This deep connection ensures every detail reflects the client's energy and experiences, transforming spaces beyond mere objects.”
Talking about the role of publicity in design segment, Sakina Rangwala, Partner, Eztablish Design, said, “Traditionally, PR relied solely on media to share well-designed projects, but social media has revolutionized this by giving everyone a voice and enabling direct feedback. Now, designers can get real-time engagement and refine their strat- egies through either their own social media or with the help of a PR agency that understands industry trends and can strategically place content.”
Kuber Shah, Creative Consultant & Photographer, The Kuber, added, “I feel one of the best moments after a photography session is hearing the designer say, "I never imagined the space could look like this." It's about capturing the essence and emotion of a home, blending design, nature, and materials to create something truly media-worthy. The challenge lies in making every image not just a picture, but a fulfilling realization of everyone's vision.”
NEED FOR MINDSET CHANGE
Elaborating on how her design practice could make a social impact, Monika Choudhary said, “Our process involves a continuous collaboration where we, as architects, relish the holistic design encompassing glass, wood, and concrete. We take pride in educating the market and pushing our vendors to reach that perfect blend of quality and cost, achieving global appeal. This dedication is crucial for the advancement of architecture.”
Kayur Patel added, “In our country, interior designers often takemultiple trips abroad for furniture selection, spending around 25-30 lakhs on travel and accommodations. Yet, the same client will argue over 20 bucks per square foot with a local craftsman. This disparity shows a lack of respect for local artisans, making it hard for art to truly flourish here. Though we see art in new airports, there’s still no significant space for public art in parks or other communal areas.”
Jimmy Mistry shared,” In contrast to India, China's new generation buildings are not only stunning but are also accompanied by public art displays, beyond just ubiquitous statues, as seen in India. Indian cities struggle to find space for contemporary art.”
Arjun Rathi further stated, “Designers have a duty to present art prominently in public and private places. India's tier two and tier three cities are delving into art in fascinating ways, thanks to the abundant space they enjoy compared to our crowded urban centers But, despite India's rich tradition in vernacular art like Firozabad crafts, translating these into a polished end product is challenging and time-consuming. To elevate India on the global stage, we need to enable our artists to step up and showcase their work with pride.”
WALKING THE THIN LINE
As Jasmine Jhaveri stated, “We live in a world where there are no gatekeepers, allowing real talent and authenticity to shine through the noise. Even if you can't get your work published in magazines, you can create your own platform and make your mark. Social media gives everyone the chance to shine and believe in their dreams. Collaborat- ing with photographers and stylists on these elements creates a powerful visual story.”
Nisha Jamvwal further stated,“What's more important is bridging the socio-economic gap in India to ensure equality and success in a globalized world. While the New World can bring challenges and misrepresentation, it also offers exciting opportunities for collaboration and innovation in design.”
Sakina Rangwala said, “We nurture brands to align with their vision, ensuring honesty and transparency. Every project has a face, making the designer an influencer who rep- resents and endorses the brand.”
Kuber Shah stated, “Designers don't just randomly create spaces; they thoughtfully bring them to life by paying attention to every detail. Some homes have a vibe that matches certain magazines. However, I aim to shoot projects worthy of the highest acclaim, ensuring they are seen and heard amidst the noise.”
On the role of AI in the design process Santosh Wadekar stated, “AI assists designers, but the unique human touch in emotions and sensitivity remains irreplaceable. As a designer, I love sketching elevations and creating mockups on-site to experience the proportions and feel of materials firsthand. Hands-on work is essential for bringing our emotions and visions to life.”
