Design Mumbai, India’s First Global Design Show Arrives this November

This November, India’s first international contemporary design showcase, Design Mumbai, invites a discerning crowd of designers, architects, and enthusiasts to Jio World Garden in Mumbai. With JSW Paints as the Presenting Partner, this event promises a dynamic landscape of creativity that echoes both local ingenuity and global trends. Set across four days, from November 6-9, Design Mumbai seeks to establish itself as a platform where international and Indian design minds converge, offering a pulse on one of the fastest-growing design markets in the world.

Amid a packed program of talks, exhibitions, and immersive experiences, Design Mumbai brings an energy that is as pragmatic as it is creative. It’s a trade show with a difference—a rare blend of B2B networking opportunities, a carefully curated array of design talent, and a forward-looking approach to industry conversations. In the words of JSW Paints’ Joint MD & CEO, AS Sundaresan, the show “celebrates colour and creativity” in a way that’s set to inspire. Expect to see established and emerging names in interior design, architecture, and product sectors, each adding a unique dimension to the dialogue on design in India.

With a global audience in mind, the event features an extensive list of talks and panels at the Design Mumbai Exchange theatre, each focused on a pressing theme. Day one’s talks explore topics such as sustainable design, the synergy of technology and craft, and the possibilities of conscious colour. Dezeen hosts a panel on “Designed in India, made for the world,” exploring how Indian design can extend its reach on a global stage. On day two, conversations turn to urban issues, with a session on affordable housing in a rapidly expanding Mumbai and a retrospective on the legendary architect Charles Correa, whose principles on climate-responsive design remain deeply relevant today. The final day culminates with discussions on scale, mobility, and the dynamic intersections of creativity and commerce in a city like Mumbai.

Tom Dixon, the UK designer who has long been captivated by India’s creative landscape, lends his support to the event, citing India’s “reservoir of skills, technology, and rich history.” He sees Design Mumbai as a rare platform to showcase the country’s design wealth on an international scale. Likewise, Theo Williams, a designer and retail consultant from the UK, reinforces the significance of India’s market, with the interiors sector alone expected to reach a staggering US $51.4 billion by 2028.

The show floor, however, is where the real buzz lies. Royal Enfield, India’s iconic motorcycle brand, takes visitors on a journey with its new Design Passport programme, a series of talks and workshops held in Royal Enfield showrooms across the country. The programme’s main attraction at Design Mumbai? The Royal Enfield 2024 Classic 350, presented in a hands-on display that’s likely to fascinate the design and motor enthusiast alike.

Art and installations also take centre stage, offering a refreshing visual respite between sessions. Joanna Bodzek’s interactive piece, All I Know is How I Feel, curated by JSW Paints, is set to be a highlight. As Bodzek puts it, the installation captures life “in transition,” evoking the power of colour to hold memory and transform space. Vibhor Sogani’s Magical Bloom, meanwhile, adds a touch of whimsy with a stainless-steel structure that channels light through countless polished spheres, mimicking a flower in full bloom. “Magical Bloom prompts us to appreciate the details in the natural world,” says Sogani, a sentiment that resonates in an age where technology often overshadows the organic.

There’s more to discover beyond installations. Studio Saar, a UK and Udaipur-based practice, presents Srivan, a modular pavilion inspired by ancient Indian forestry practices. Constructed beside the main exhibition space, this “forest of prosperity” offers a shaded retreat where guests and exhibitors alike can pause and reflect. Chris Lefteri’s Materials Lab also promises an enriching experience for those curious about textures and finishes in design, providing insights into some of the most sought-after materials shaping interiors today.

Hospitality is also taken up a notch, with Soho House Mumbai bringing their signature mix of style and sustenance to the venue, and Goa’s Stranger & Sons gin distillery offering a tasting of botanically rich gin that’s crafted with Indian spices and citrus flavours. Together, these partners promise to add a dash of Mumbai’s iconic spirit to the event’s social side.

Design Mumbai arrives at a time when India’s design landscape is on the brink of substantial growth, and this inaugural edition aims to meet that momentum head-on. With hand-picked exhibitors, a well-planned programme, and a setting that celebrates Mumbai’s unique energy, Design Mumbai is a gathering of minds poised to influence India’s design future.

For more information on the programme, visit Design Mumbai‘s official website.