India Design ID is all about community. Bringing the exciting design week to a new city was driven by more than just hosting the design community at our show; it was about exploring all that Mumbai has to offer. To enjoy the best of Mumbai’s design and cultural experiences, we set out to map a personal almanac that celebrates the exciting city. As we reflect on ID Mumbai 2024—the maiden edition of India’s most definitive design week in Maximum City—we are pleased to share the highlights from our ID Satellite program. ID Satellite, a precursor to India Design ID, allowed us to transform the city into a responsive hub of creativity while honouring the abundance of creative leaders and culture makers that thrive in Mumbai.

We collaborated with Mumbai’s most popular and prominent design, culture, gastronomical and artistic brands and hubs through the ID Satellite initiative. Each participating brand engaged with us by curating exclusive design explorations, culinary delights, offerings and walkthroughs, as well as unique cultural experiences. This year’s edition took place from 23rd-29th September, before & during the inaugural edition of ID Mumbai, which was held from 27th-29th September at Jio World Garden, BKC. Through this program, the entire city of Mumbai was activated with a noteworthy curation of exclusive offers and experiences from top brands and galleries. This was a chance for people to flâneur around town, discover design, and experience art exhibitions while feasting on sumptuous food and beverages. 

Curator’s Pick

For ID Satellite, the Curator’s Pick featured an impressive lineup of notable pieces hand-picked by India Design ID’s Fair Director, Misha Bains, from among the city’s leading design brands. This curated collection reflected the evolving product design trends in the city and offered the India Design ID community insight into what to watch.

“Every statement piece and collection is unique. Each product/collection was chosen for its exceptional design and craftsmanship. These selections together reflect the spirit and design sensibilities of the current times,” said Fair Director Misha Bains.

• The Capsule Light from Hatsu was an innovative lighting solution representing modern elegance.
• The Whispers in the Moonlight Collection from Indian decor brand Kalakaari Haath was a monochrome showcase highlighting traditional Indian craftsmanship.
• The Contour Collection from Bombay Design Lab included three chic chairs, one versatile footstool, and a sleek sofa.
• Taru by Ligne Roset was a multifaceted statement piece with a customisable design.
• Synonymous with luxury, the sofa collection of Vittoria Frigerio presented by Vita Moderna elegantly merged fashion with design.
• The Blooming Meadow Wallpaper from India Circus by Krsna Mehta comprised products that allowed one to experience the tranquility of green.
• FAB1659SWATCH, a part of the Bouclé collection from The Pure Concept Home, expressed contemporary style elegantly.
• The Oyster DayBed from ABACA was a well-crafted piece that reflected unhurried indulgence.
• The Herringbone parquet design by Squarefoot proffered a chic foundation that could refine any interior space.
• The Flare Console table by internationally acclaimed home decor brand Sarita Handa made for a distinctive centrepiece with its sleek and modern design.
• The Setting 2000T+Anniversia from Hästens was an embodiment of generations of artisanal craftsmanship.
• The Anthem Digital Valve Shower from KOHLER focused on an intuitive interface for an ideal bath setting.
• The Grezzo Side Table by Wriver stood as a testament to the luxury furniture brand’s commitment to individuality.
• The Reflections Within collection by The Design Concierge beckoned viewers closer, inviting them to ponder upon themselves and the artwork.
• The Kathiwada Furniture Collection was displayed at Kathiwada City House as an ID Satellite special. The collection included bar furniture in rich brown tones, artfully blending dark wood and navy accents.

Exclusive Offerings & Design Explorations

Through the ID Satellite program, we wanted tourists, Mumbaikars, and city explorers to become design connoisseurs. What better way to engage the community than inviting participating brands and art galleries to provide exclusive offerings? Nurturing an excitement for design throughout the city, these experiences included premium vends, collection previews and reveals, curated art gallery walks, and limited-edition product viewings. By simply walking around the city, one could get incredible insight into heritage art and design, and even learn how to collect unique decor items ahead of the Diwali season. The special vends in the most expensive city in India were a testament to the high-end design brands’ commitment to making good design more accessible to Mumbai. 

“Grateful to India Design ID Satellite for spotlighting Kalakaarihaath among the city’s most inspired creators. Honoured to share our craft in this curation of design excellence. Here’s to creating, connecting, and celebrating Mumbai’s vibrant design pulse!” expressed the team at Kalakaari Haath, one of our participating brands. 

• 47A Gallery hosted art walkthroughs led by the gallerist from September 24th to 29th and by the curator from September 25th to 28th, providing the community with an up-close insight into the curated collections.
• Furniture studio Red Blue Yellow, for the first time in its decades-long history, offered an exclusive 10% discount on purchases with the code ID10 between September 23rd and 29th.
• Freedom Tree Design Studio offered a 10% discount during the ID Satellite week.
• Award-winning brand Cocoon Fine Rugs extended a 40% discount during show days in honor of Mumbai’s design connoisseurs.
• India-proud design house Ikai Asai introduced a 10% discount for its special editions, and the icing on cake was a sitewide 15% discount on all products.
• Hands Carpets curated an exclusive collection reveal exclusively for the ID community.
• The Spanish brand Lladro displayed a limited-edition sculpture by artist Javier Calleja, which was available for viewing by appointment only.
• The Designera invited the ID community to explore its refreshingly modern collection of pop art displays via a special art walkthrough during ID Satellite week.
• Renowned gallery Chatterjee and Lal conducted private walkthroughs of the works of the late weaver and artist Rajendra Chaudhari.
• India’s first collectible design gallery, Aequo, cast a special spotlight on its show RUB IN, which featured Sudheer Rajbhar’s eyebrow-raising collection, designed in collaboration with his creative associate, Camille Bastien.

Gourmet Experiences

Gourmet and design are intrinsically intertwined. Both are forms of creative expression that elevate the senses, so we picked Mumbai’s local favourite spots to join us on this cultural journey through the city. ID Satellite presented a refined selection of gastronomic experiences for culinary enthusiasts showcasing Mumbai’s culinary heritage and culture. Peppered all around Mumbai’s various neighbourhoods – in South Bombay’s colonial buildings and BKC’s modern glass-and-concrete skyscrapers – these restaurants tailored dishes that fused international and local flavours. This assortment of global foods and varied cuisines reflects what Mumbai is all about: a cosmopolis that unites people from all over the world, and gives them a space to taste new opportunities. 

“Participating in ID Satellite was a remarkable experience for La Loca Maria and La Panthera. It allowed us to connect with the most reputed design community and, in turn, share our passion for culinary craftsmanship. We were excited to introduce our limited-edition Apple Sangria and Picante cocktail, which blends classic recipes with our unique flair. We look forward to another fantastic collaboration with India Design ID”, noted Mickee Tuljapurkar, owner of La Panthera & La Loca Maria.

• Masque celebrated its eighth anniversary in style, with headline-grabbing chefs Vinesh Johny of Lavonne and Chef Varun Totlani joining forces to create a special spread of eight desserts. ID community was invited for this special curation on September 27th, during the ID Satellite week.
• The Subko Pod to Bar Experience invited attendees to experience the intricate pulp removal and fermentation process on 25th September. This was no simple tasting; it was a deep dive into the art of crafting exceptional brews.
• At Araku, guests were treated to an exclusive ID Satellite coffee cocktail, which was available from September 23rd to 29th.
• Slink & Bardot presented the community with a well-curated Koliwada cocktail menu that paid homage to the heritage of Mumbai’s fisherpeople.
• Cirqa 1960 curated a special cocktail named Bombay Cosmopolis as an ode to Mumbai and its design fraternity. Alongside their popular cocktails, visitors enjoyed special “Design Hours” from 6 pm to 9 pm on September 24th and 26th.
• La Loca Maria crafted a flavourful Apple Sangria as an ID Satellite special. This came with little miniature cards featuring cocktail illustrations and recipes that acted as heartwarming keepsakes for the guests.
• La Panthera welcomed guests with an exclusive off-menu cocktail creation, Picante, designed specifically for this program and the design fraternity.
• TwentySeven Bakehouse showcased its culinary moxie with signature cute treats like Spicy Mexican Corn and Pecan Swirl. During ID Satellite week, guests indulged in these savoury viands at their Bandra and Mahalaxmi spaces.
• Mag St. Cafe rounded off the gourmet journey by welcoming the community with an Onam Sadhya food experience on September 28th and 29th. The cafe celebrated the festival with its rich and delectable cuisine.

Design as a Holistic Experience

Design has never been an isolated phenomenon. It is ever-present in our daily lives, whether in art, food, or any aspect of culture. It indulges us and also helps us reflect on the world around us. It gives us perspective on what matters and speaks to the needs, values and aspirations of individuals and communities. In a way, it helps shape the ever-changing landscape of the human experience. Design is that unbreakable thread of the constant conversation between creative minds and society. ID Satellite recognised this by indulging the city of Mumbai by inviting them to experience the city with a new lens and celebrating the intriguing intersection of craftsmanship, modern creativity, and cultural heritage. 

The Inaugural Mumbai Edition of India Design ID

ID Satellite was a fitting blazoner to India Design ID Mumbai, encouraging guests to explore each brand’s physical spaces and galleries. With the curator’s pick, we spotlit trending collections and products while the design explorations helped the community get up close with the exclusive design pieces. For instance, the flare console table from Sarita Handa was also displayed at India Design ID, and the special promotions helped continue the conversation with collectors at the show. Art lovers and collectors enjoyed curated walks, like the ones that 47-A conducted in their quaint Khotachi Wadi gallery. As for the gourmet experiences, they urged the culinary community to push the boundaries of design-thinking, Mumbai’s architectural heritage, and historical communities, through food making. For instance, the cocktails La Loca Maria and La Panthera created were big hits at the restaurants and at India Design ID. 

With online promotions remaining active throughout the week, we learnt how much people yearned for cultural experiences. ID Satellite’s main reason for garnering intrigue was that it married the flavours of art, design and gastronomy to make a lively, culturally sound map of Mumbai. It drove robust conversations around design before the inaugural edition of India Design ID Mumbai and contributed to an increase in foot traffic at the show. And for us, well, it was a chance to give back to our host city. 

With India Design ID Delhi around the corner, ID Satellite is set to return -– bigger and better with exciting new categories. Stay tuned for more.