Retail is all about creating an experience—one that immediately appeals to customers and helps elicit a positive response towards the offerings. It is for this reason that an outlet, say a fashion design store, isn't only about couture but also the aesthetics of the space. A warm, welcoming, well-designed store will encourage patrons to spend more time shopping; an eye-catching window display or a defined layout will help people immediately find what they're looking for. We decided to peek inside the top stores in Mumbai, to see how the spaces blend fashion, interior design and an unparalleled experience.
Mumbai, Fashion Design: Rahul Mishra
Rahul Mishra's south Mumbai store located in the iconic Kala Ghoda neighbourhood makes a lasting impression. The designer's brief to architect Animesh Nayak of Open To Sky and Richa Kanoi, creative director of the store, was to translate the exploratory, whimsical vibe of Kala Ghoda into the interiors. Housed inside a charming, vintage building is this 1600-square-feet space, awashed in neutral hues, enriched with an earthy material palette of concrete, reclaimed wood and stucco walls, contrasted with sharper more intricate profiles of brass, black metal, fluted glass and dark woodwork. The lights hanging on a series of slender metal frames are painted white as a graphic contrast to the grey stone ceilings. Within this dynamic set up, the glamorous couture finds its pride of place.
Mumbai, Fashion Design: Kunal Rawal
Rhythm House, Mumbai has a rich, long legacy—it was at one point, the mecca for all music aficionados. Kunal Rawal too, was one among the many who frequented the area. For his flagship store, he teamed up with architect Rooshad Shroff, who injected an artistic expression into the interiors. The duo wanted the space to emanate anti-trend, multi-functional design. By adding texture and experimenting with embroidery and metalwork, the store was turned into the perfect amalgamation of heritage, luxury and industrial.
Mumbai, Fashion Design: Limerick
Located in Mumbai, this 450-square-feet store designed by Studio Nishita Kamdar tells the story of the brand while creating an immersive shopping experience. For Limerick, a label by Abirr and Nanki, the idea was simple—to have a neutral palette, accentuated with brass and metal, where the clothes do the talking. The store is enriched with resplendent broken white tiles, brass strips in different lengths that cut across the space, an angular reception table made of white engineered marble and custom-made metal birds perched on the edges of rods. Large mirrors make the space look bigger than it is.
Mumbai, Fashion Design: Seams
A dynamic façade leads you into the arcade-inspired Mumbai boutique store of the brand Seams. The 900-square-feet outlet designed by Huzefa Rangwala, Jasem Pirani and Namrata Tidke of MuseLAB, follows a split-level shoebox layout. The interiors feature hushed and dainty elements, and the material palette is refined and restrained. The colour scheme is dominated by dusty pink and silver. Terrazzo flooring, inlays and smart fixtures also take cognisance here.
