Manav Gangwani, New Delhi

Manav Gangwani's garments symbolize glamour, the silhouettes dramatic yet timeless. To create a shell for the garments our design response was to create a contemporary abstraction of a timeless form. Our inspiration was the grottos- an intimate cave like space, which forms the foundation of many classical structures. We decided to work with a formal architectural expression rather than creating a decorative interior design experience keeping in mind the embellished quality of the garments on display. We created a series of framing devices, which helped us in creating individual alcoves for different collections and a central axis for selected showstoppers. We wanted to create a sense of discovery in the store--from outside one sees a row of mannequins reminiscent of a ramp, the garments reveal themselves only when the customer starts exploring the store. The material palette consists of intersecting vaults finished in white plaster with mirror polished chrome racks set into a raw shell of stained distressed brick walls and a stained polished concrete floor. The raw finishes create the perfect backdrop for the richly embellished product. The store also has an exclusive salon space where the designer meets customers by appointment. One would find here a curated display of his most exclusive pieces. The store window titled "Social Butterfly" is a tongue-in-cheek take on the glitterati. Butterflies embellished with Swarovski crystals in the colour of the season flutter in the display window creating a sense of playful glamour.