Walking into the newly minted Hermès store located on the first floor of the Jio World Plaza, is like waltzing through an artistic forest.
Indian production designer and filmmaker Aradhana Sheth has been commissioned to create a window installation titled ‘Faubourg in an Enchanted Forest’ that derives the dual inspirations of Gond art from Madhya Pradesh and Hermès’ stories and design objects. Previous collaborators for the brand's windows in Mumbai include the architect Rooshad Shroff, who executes the windows for the Horniman Circle store.
Its metal facade is decorated with colours inspired by Indian craft, from Hermès' iconic orange to the deep jewel shades of peacock blue. The colours are meant to evoke the vibrant clouds of pigment thrown in the air during the festival of Holi.
Created by the Paris-based architecture firm RDAI, the new establishment is a celebration of craftsmanship and an ode to India’s culture and heritage. The men’s and women’s ready-to-wear sections have walls upholstered in a hand-embroidered fabric by a local atelier with deep turmeric-hued yellow motifs that resemble the shadow-dotted streets of the bustling city. If you look close enough, it also resembles a marigold field.
The open-plan salon has on display, offerings from the sixteen metiers of the house, that include silks alongside fashion jewellery, the home collection, as well as the perfume and beauty lines. Displayed in the centre of the store are watches and leather goods, the house’s main speciality since it started as a saddle maker for wealthy aristocrats and royalty in 19th-century Europe.
Drawing inspiration from India's vibrant palette, the store boasts a captivating contrast of hues, ranging from the organic tones of stucco walls and stone floors to azure accents on the mozaics. Veneer marquetry walls of bamboo in a deep blue colour are reminiscent of the blue houses in the city of Jodhpur enclosing the fashion jewellery display. As visitors traverse the space, they are enveloped in a symphony of colours, with carpets transitioning from warm oranges to rich sapphire blues underfoot.
The decor includes prints and illustrations from the collection of Émile Hermès that are placed alongside contemporary works by Belgian photographer Harry Gruyaert and French painter Christian Babou, among others.
While the French house expands its presence in the country, India has always been a part of its mood board for various projects, whether it be from the crafts of the country that the company utilises for the manufacturing of its product ranges, or the native colours and iconography that inspires it’s scarves. The new store launch is part of a larger phenomenon of luxury brands expanding their presence in the subcontinent in recent times.
All photos: Six Ways To Sunday
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