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As Mumbai gears up for India's 'first contemporary design show with an international perspective', Design Mumbai 2024 unveils its detailed line-up for the event including both global and national design brands, studios and agencies. Set to take place from November 6 - 9, 2024, at the Jio World Garden in the country's financial capital, the showcase promises to be a celebration of great design. Adding to the already vibrant landscape of design weeks and exhibits that set the industry abuzz as soon as the Indian weather cools, Design Mumbai's inaugural edition this year is set to harness the creative energy of the world's fifth-largest economy.
The anticipated design fair will not only platform established designers, but spotlight emerging talent from the interior and product design sectors during the four-day event. In tandem, it aims to stimulate meaningful discussions through its carefully selected exhibitors and serve as a platform for networking and industry insights. A melting pot of international and national talents, various features such as talks and design installations will add to the dynamic programme.
As an official media partner, STIR shares updates on the upcoming international trade show, listing the top brand features, talks and exhibitor showcases to watch out for.
Installations and immersive concept spaces
Apart from booths where attendees can get a glimpse of all that's stirring the contemporary design landscape, Design Mumbai has organised a range of other presentations to meaningfully engage audiences. Studio SAAR, an architectural practice with offices in the UK and Udaipur will unveil an outdoor installation, reflecting their design philosophies, rooted in highlighting the relevance of people, culture and place.
Similarly, the Netherlands-based designer Richard Hutten will showcase a concept space for THE Park Hotels. "For Design Mumbai, I've designed a hotel room with the concept of 'soft minimalism' in collaboration with THE Park Hotels. Rooted in North European minimalism, I have been using warm materials and soft shapes," Hutten said about his hospitality design for the luxury chain. The space will use designs from the exhibitors at the showcase.
Design Mumbai has also partnered with Royal Enfield, bringing the design community a programme of curated talks and workshops, Design Passport. The talks will be hosted in different cities throughout the year, kicking off during the four-day design festival. Visitors will also get the opportunity to experience the timeless beauty of the Royal Enfield 2024 Classic 350 through an interactive installation. Finally, London-based Chris Lefteri, the founder of Chris Lefteri Design will present a materials lab to offer a nuanced understanding of material innovation and its significance for product design.
Special brand showcases
Previous STIR coverage of the brands, designers and studios to look out for included names such as the luxury Italian furniture brand, Poltrona Frau; the Swedish manufacturers Hästens and the Swiss company de Sede who will be showcasing new and iconic furniture designs for the event in Mumbai.
Joining these companies and offering a spotlight for the lighting industry will be lighting designers and brands. These include India's pioneering integrated lighting solutions company Vis a Vis, New Delhi-based studio Emanate, Light Forms Asia that has offices in the UK, Europe and India; and Shailesh Rajput Studio. The showcase is guaranteed to dazzle spectators with displays that highlight craftsmanship and design excellence.
Panels to tune into
To creatively engage the design community and spark conversations about 'good' design, not just in India but all over the world, Design Mumbai will include Design Mumbai Exchange, a programme of dialogues, panel discussions and lectures. Bringing together a plurality of voices including design studios, institutions, publishers and foundations for a dynamic exchange of ideas and creative philosophies; the programme aims to incite discussions into how practitioners 'push the boundaries of what's possible in design today'.
As a curatorial collaborator for Design Mumbai Exchange, STIR is curating an exclusive programme with experimental formats under the moniker ~log(ue)—"any occasion that facilitates encounters between creative minds is an opportunity to leave people (log/ लोग) with something that endures (~logues). Across words, visuals, vibe and tribe, STIR x Design Mumbai stir up the status quo by bringing together protagonists and formats that unveil and build new perspectives on design and creative cultures from India to the world," reveals the STIR curatorial team.
Through 'Monologues' (theatrical readings that intersect in performance, mapping shared concerns), 'Dialogues' (livewire conversations that take on age-old debates and present-day hacks) and 'Multilogues' (where the audience will define the discussion with panellists from the world of art, fashion, design and architecture responding to audience prompts in an interactive conversation stitched together by a moderator) ~log(ue) is set to centre itself on multiple perspectives and experiences, with, for and between the change makers and those the change is for.
STIR will round off the day of scintillating conversations with a fourth ~log(ue): 'Analogue: A Movie Night Friday'. The screening will preview the upcoming Architecture and Design Film Festival (NYC), scheduled to be held in Mumbai in January 2025. This exclusive film screening will ensure an encounter of analogue narratives from across the world.
The programme also includes a talk on the global impact of Indian architect Charles Correa titled Learning From Charles Correa: Form Follows Climate; a dialogue unravelling vital issues linked to the city's mega infrastructure through the lens of sustainability by Eztablish; as well as a panel centred on Indian design by Dezeen.
STIR, as a media partner, will feature the best of designers, studios, brands and special projects to watch out for at the inaugural edition of Design Mumbai taking place from November 6 - 9, 2024.
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