India Design Mumbai returns with its second edition, and at its helm is curator Misha Bains, shaping the narrative around a bold new design identity for India. With the theme The Age of Design Syncretism, she brings forth an intersection of craft, culture, and contemporary practice that mirrors the city’s own layered spirit. We asked Misha to take a pause and reflect on lessons from last year, the experimental showcases, and the evolving dialogue around what Indian design means today. Excerpts below.
Our curation this year is on the theme The Age of Design Syncretism. Across segments of the exhibition, you will be able to witness a confluence of many different cultures, inspirations, traditions, crafts and techniques. Through this theme we wanted to honour the momentous time for the Indian design industry that signifies the coming about of a new design identity for India.
You’re now in your second year in Mumbai with ID. What lessons did you take from the first experience to make it better this time?
Our first edition in Mumbai last year was a heart warming response from the industry and design enthusiasts alike. I felt there was something very different about the audience in Mumbai, the way they consume design is quite different. It’s a set that is culturally very engaged and they interact with design beyond just buying pieces for the home. So keeping this in mind we brainstormed and found ways to introduce our curated initiatives. The Special projects like Neo Deco and Syncretic Threads exhibitions to create platforms that can engage the audience from a point of view that stretches beyond function. We also decided to elevate the conversations we were hosting at the ID Symposium to include Mumbai as a city and topics that relate to it which discuss architectural initiatives for change in the Mumbai’s urban planning to the conservation and restoration of Art Deco in Mumbai.
Tell us about the special experimental showcase and what is meant to emphasize?
The idea behind Syncretic Threads was to create an experiential showcase to highlight storytelling through textiles. The exhibition is meant to emphasise how craft and design can layer identities, cross boundaries, and foster meaningful synthesis. The display will highlight six designers experimenting across art, craft, fashion, home furnishings, and sculpture mediums.
What is the larger conversation around Design that you are hoping to start with this year’s edition?
The larger conversation at the show is about Design Syncretism and the new Indian Design Identity, a confluence of many different cultures, layers of different exposures, materiality and all of it forming this brand new Indian Design Identity which is fresh, fearless and inherently its own.
Words Hansika Lohani
26.09.2025
