Mumbai, 22nd September, 2024
The fifth edition of the AD Design Show concluded on a high note, receiving glowing reviews. Throughout the event’s three-day run, AD (Architectural Digest), curated a dynamic program that catered to a wide range of interests within the design community.
The first day opened with the unveiling of the central installation “assemblage n.51” by The Back Studio produced by Splendour Living. Across the three days, some of notable Powertalks were Shaping Public Projects: In conversation with Abha Narain Lambah, Stephane Paumier and Vishal K Dar. Chitra Vishwanath, Sandeep Virmani and Suhasini Iyer discussed architecture and ecology. Antonio Rodriguez, partner at Matteo Thun did a portfolio presentation on achieving simplicity in design. And many more. All three days featured walking tours by Vinita Chaitanya & Rahul Khanna on day one, Ridhi Khosla Jalan on day two and Pavitra Rajaram on day three.
Komal Sharma, Head of Editorial Content, AD India said, “The AD Design Show presented a dynamic three-day program featuring top interior brands, art installations, engaging discussions, and exclusive parties, offering a glimpse into India’s versatile design talent. This year marked a special curation of 40+ designers across furniture, textiles, sculpture, and more, showcasing a staggering diversity of crafts and techniques. From heritage carpet companies to cutting-edge bathware, the range was unparalleled. The event also launched the AD List, an industry-first initiative spotlighting trendsetting brands and designers in luxury interiors. All in all, the AD Design Show this year was a massive success and set a new benchmark for creativity, innovation and craftsmanship.”
Sandeep Lodha, Managing Director, Condé Nast India said, “We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of this year’s AD Design Show, which not only exceeded our expectations creatively but also from a business standpoint. The response from both exhibitors and attendees has been incredibly positive, reinforcing AD’s position as a key player in the design community. This event has opened up exciting new opportunities for collaboration and growth, and we are proud to have created a platform that celebrates innovation, artistry, and design excellence.”
The central highlight of the show this year was “assemblage n.51” created by The Back Studio, a dynamic collaboration between Eugenio Rossi and Yaazd Contractor. The installation commentates on the ever-growing construction around the city, and brings to the forefront the backbones and the hidden components that make a structure work and function, as well as the aesthetic and utilitarian beauty of hardware. The artwork also employs neon bending, which is a near obsolete craft, yet it is a completely sustainable circular form of light. This installation is produced by Splendour Living. Set up in Mumbai’s historic neighborhood of Sewri, in what used to be a dilapidated dockyard warehouse, founders Sharan and Nyishi Parekh have, over the span of two years, turned it into a 14,000-square-foot creative office and studio, a third of which is used as a prototyping workshop where cutting-edge technology, engineering and traditional craft cohabitate to create works that are out of the box, such as assemblage n.51.
Every year, one of the key highlights of the AD Design Show is the Karigar Pavilion supported by JSW where craftspeople from different regions of India showcase their mastery over materials and techniques. This year, the Karigar Pavilion shone a spotlight on seven such crafts, bringing masters to showcase them live to visitors across the three days. The Karigars featured were:
- Mohammed Akber Khan x The Wicker Story – Hyderabad, Telangana
- Kani Shawl Heritage x The Kashmir Loom – Srinagar, Kashmir
- Mashkur Ahmed – Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Vikas Soni – Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Milda Shylla x Dak-Ti – Shillong, Meghalaya
- Arif Usmani x Kalpa Vigraha Studio – Delhi
- Kosha Shah x The Papier Studio – Mumbai, Maharashtra
The AD List was launched on day two at the AD Design Show. AD List offers a unique means for brands, architects, and design professionals to increase their visibility and connect with consumers and the community. The platform is also tailor-made for up-and-coming brands in the luxury home space by enhancing their credibility and helping them to grow both their brand and business. By showcasing their presence, AD List supports these emerging brands in establishing themselves as trusted names in the industry. For the first time, AD presented AD DISCOVERIES, a special curation of 40+ designers across furniture, textiles, sculpture, lighting, ceramics and more. The intent of this pavilion was to spotlight independent makers, artistic practices, promising new names, all shown alongside one-off, limited-edition pieces by established architects and designers.
Additional installations at the show were: Experience the beauty of fabric art, vibrant hues and the expressive nature of Indian craftsmanship through this special showcase, ‘Iris’. It represents the flourishing of life when one’s perspectives are broadened. Brought to life by diverse materials and intricate techniques, M2O by NNN adds a new spark to furnishings through fabric layering, threadwork, sheer elements and more. Dualities, Pantone FASHION HOME + INTERIORS’ newest colour collection features a curation of 175 shades across two distinct palettes: Shadows and New Age Pastels. Embodying the concept of duality, it explores the interplay between light and dark, offering designers versatile tools to capture the essence of modern living. Embodying time as the master architect, this sculpture by Amit Aggarwal Studio is made from hand-casted fibre and the brand’s signature pleated metallic finish polymer in nylon tulle. The iconic pod shape, representing the womb, symbolises creation and transformation, evolving through the forces of time. Architectural lines are balanced with organic fluidity to showcase time’s power to shape, deconstruct, and reimagine matter into a perpetual state of evolution.
