Twenty feet tall and covered in mirror-work, Gota and disco balls, Rani is Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla's debut installation for Art Mumbai. Personally designed by the duo in association with their Art and Design vertical, A Wonder Room, she pays homage to the city where they first met and to Rani Baug, its legendary zoo that once sheltered rescued elephants. Presented alongside their fashion presentation 'Disco Inferno', she brings the glitz of 80s disco and the showgirl sparkle of Hindi cinema's cabaret sequences into sculptural form. Here the designers talk about the memories, the craft and the joy behind her.
A City That Started It All
Rani Baug is undoubtedly one of Mumbai's most iconic landmarks and an important part of the city's heritage. Mumbai is where we first met, where our brand, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, was born, and where our creative journey and all our ventures began. Our association with the city has only grown stronger over the years, making it an integral part of our story.
When we began thinking about what our debut installation for Art Mumbai could be, we wanted to create something that paid homage to the city while reflecting the opulence, exuberance and larger-than-life scale that we have always loved working with. Rani Baug naturally came to mind as one of the many things that make Mumbai so iconic. The fact that the zoo was also home to rescued elephants became an important part of the inspiration. It was a wonderful starting point for an idea that brought together our affection for Mumbai, our love for maximalism and our fascination with creating something truly monumental.
Disco, Cabaret And A Decade of Glamour
The 1980s were an iconic decade for us, not least because it was around this time that we first met. It holds a special place in our lives, and the era's distinctive aesthetic, energy and exuberance have always appealed to us. With Disco Inferno as the theme of our fashion presentation, we wanted Rani to embody the unapologetic glamour of that period. We were particularly drawn to the spectacular cabaret aesthetic of Hindi cinema, which was synonymous with the decade's larger-than-life entertainment culture. Helen and Bindu were undoubtedly among the most iconic cabaret queens of that era, and their performances, costumes and extraordinary screen presence were very much part of the visual language we were revisiting.
The idea of disco opened up a world of possibilities for us. It allowed us to experiment with sparkle, movement, high-shine surfaces and the theatricality of the showgirl aesthetic. Rani became a celebration of all these influences, translating the energy and glamour of the 1980s into a monumental sculptural form. It was a wonderfully fun process, with plenty of experimentation, and that is how she came to life.
Couture Detailing at Monumental Scale
We have always been fortunate to have a wonderful team of artisans and collaborators who share our enthusiasm for experimentation. Working on a monumental scale is something our team has become quite familiar with over the years. Creating things on a grand scale has been an integral part of our design journey, particularly following Mubarak Baug, which served as a wonderful stepping stone and platform for exploring and showcasing this approach to design. With Rani, there was, of course, a great deal of experimentation involved. We wanted to translate the intricate detailing and craftsmanship that define our couture into a sculpture of such extraordinary proportions.
At the same time, ensuring that the structure was sound and that every element came together seamlessly was equally important. What made the process particularly special was the enthusiasm with which our teams embraced the challenge. They were just as invested in bringing Rani to life as we were, and their dedication, skill and willingness to experiment have resulted in the magnificent installation that she is today. We are delighted with how she has turned out, both in terms of her scale and the intricacy of her detailing.
One Creative Universe
We have never believed in limiting ourselves to a single aspect or facet of design. For us, creativity has never been about looking at fashion, interiors or art in isolation. We have always approached these disciplines as part of a larger, cohesive creative universe, where each expression complements and informs the other. This is something that has been particularly evident in Mubarak Baug, where the clothes, which evolve with every collection, come together with our archives, some of which go back several decades, to create a cohesive expression of our design philosophy.
The same thought process extends to Disco Inferno and Rani. She has been personally designed by us in association with our Art and Design vertical, A Wonder Room, and forms the central and most pivotal element of the set around which the fashion presentation unfolds. The disco balls, mirror-work and overall aesthetic directly echo the theme of the collection, allowing the installation and the fashion to speak to each other beautifully. For us, A Wonder Room is an extension of the same creative sensibility that informs everything we do. It allows us to explore ideas beyond the confines of fashion and express our imagination through art and design. With Rani, all these elements come together in a way that feels completely natural to us. As with most things we create together, it is about bringing different creative expressions into harmony.
A Little Sparkle For Every Collector
We see Rani as an opportunity for someone to own a very special piece of our creative universe and bring it into their own personal space. At 20 feet, she is an extraordinary statement piece and is certain to command attention wherever she is placed. There is something wonderfully unique about having a creation of this scale and character as part of one's personal collection. Beyond her monumental proportions, we hope collectors appreciate the thought, detailing and craftsmanship that have gone into bringing her to life. From the intricate mirror-work and Gota to the disco balls and the many elements that come together to create her, every detail has been carefully considered. Her craftsmanship is reminiscent of the meticulous detailing that defines our couture, while her scale reflects the larger-than-life sensibility that has always been central to our work.
We are particularly delighted to share this milestone with Art Mumbai, as Rani marks a new chapter in our creative journey. We would be equally happy for people to simply come by, experience her in person and discover the many details that have gone into creating her. Ultimately, Rani is a celebration of craftsmanship, imagination, joy and the belief that there should always be room for a little sparkle in everyday life. We look forward to seeing her find a home where she can continue to bring that spirit alive.
Words Hansika Lohani
Date 13.11.2026