India's design capital once again came alive last week as Design Mumbai 2025 wrapped its second edition, cementing its position as the country's premier international showcase of contemporary design. From 26–29 November, the Jio World Garden became the epicenter of creativity, hosting a four-day celebration that brought together global brands, local studios, and thousands of design enthusiasts eager to experience the best in architecture, interiors, and innovative materiality.
© Design Mumbai
The event featured two connected tents filled with world-class design brands including Baccarat, Hastens, Poltrona Frau, String, and Natuzzi, alongside India's finest studios such as Sarvatva, Phantom Hands, Fazo Project, Racconti, and Emanate. Complementing the exhibition was a carefully curated selection of restaurant pop-ups by Soho House Mumbai, Solaire, and Burma Burma, creating a vibrant and immersive experience that delighted every sense.
© Design Mumbai
Co-founder Ian Rudge described the show's growth with pride:
"This year, we have solidified Design Mumbai as a mainstay of the international design calendar. It has been thrilling to welcome more major international brands, alongside our returning global friends. The calibre of talent among Indian exhibitors is breathtaking, and we are delighted by the opportunities the show continues to generate for them."
A highlight of the event was the Design Mumbai Exchange programme, curated by Caro Communications, which staged 14 panel discussions featuring architects, designers, and industry thought leaders. From Vinu Daniel's keynote on Vagabond Architecture to the cross-cultural collaboration discussion, Going with the Grain, and the finale panel Science and Sensibility on colour and materiality, the talks offered deep insights into both global trends and India's emerging design landscape.
© Design Mumbai
Design installations provided striking visual narratives throughout the venue. Venezuelan artist Juan Gerstl set the tone with Journey Through India, a geometric UV-printed aluminium entrance tunnel, while Lucas Muñoz Muñoz reimagined furniture reuse in his Ex-Hotel concept for THE Park Hotels, transforming cast-off hotel fixtures into an aesthetic statement on sustainability. Chris Lefteri's Materials! Do Touch! installation further emphasised ethical alternatives, showcasing innovative materials such as mycelium-based leather replacements.
The Object Edit, curated by Kamna Malik, offered a gallery-style intervention that highlighted designers emphasising storytelling, materiality, and form. Outdoor installations also captured attention: Studio Saar's Srivan, a forest-like assemblage of Jodhpur stone and patchwork structures, celebrated human-nature symbiosis, while Jaipur Rugs' Court of Carpets, inspired by their 2024 tennis campaign, creatively fused design, sport, and craftsmanship using wool and bamboo silk.
© Design Mumbai
Exhibitors praised the show's professional curation and the opportunities it created. Gaspard d'Andigné of Baccarat commented, "Design Mumbai has been excellent for developing the Mumbai market, offering very interesting leads from architects and clients alike." Similarly, Amit Pai of Poltrona Frau highlighted the show as a differentiator, noting its blend of international and boutique design houses. Dorotée Giey of Lux Temporis emphasized the quality of leads received, even surpassing those at Maison et Objet, while Fatima Warsi of Fazo Project praised the inspirational environment and thoughtful curation.
From luxury brands to emerging Indian studios, the 2025 edition demonstrated the show's unique ability to merge global excellence with local ingenuity, creating an inspiring platform for both trade professionals and design enthusiasts.
© Design Mumbai
Looking ahead, the third edition of Design Mumbai will take place from 25–28 November 2026, promising another immersive exploration of contemporary design and architecture in India. As co-founders Ian Rudge, Michael Dynan, and Piyush Suri continue to innovate, the show is set to remain a must-attend event on the international design calendar, fostering connections, collaboration, and creativity across borders.
More information:
Design Mumbai
www.designmumbai.com
