Cobalt blue floors, reflective chrome furniture and a column of yarn balls come together to create the futuristic interior of the Nezo boutique in Mumbai by local studio Sanjay Puri Architects.
Nezo's 1,800-square-foot showroom serves as a platform to unite emerging fashion brands from across India and was designed by Sanjay Puri Architects to reflect its goal of empowering women through modern silhouettes.
"The guiding vision for the showroom's design was rooted in the founder's mission to address the gap in India's western-wear market by creating a space that unites and celebrates the diverse talents of Indian designers," lead architect Ayesha Puri Kanori told Dezeen.
"The showroom was envisioned as a dynamic and forward-thinking space that embodies boldness, vibrancy and empowerment."
A curved chrome reception desk welcomes customers at the store's entrance. Beyond, an open layout is organised around a central lounge to invite exploration of the different collections.
"The open layout encourages interaction with every collection, ensuring that visitors experience the energy and vision of the brand in every corner of the showroom," Kanori explained.
The store's perimeter is lined with custom-designed clothing racks crafted from reflective chrome steel that echo the reception desk. Cast and shaped to mimic molten liquid, the rails symbolise Nezo's ethos as a melting pot of diverse design talents.
Throughout the store, tiled white pedestals with blue grouting serve as displays for accessories, complemented by smaller, organically shaped versions in cobalt blue.
"The juxtaposition of organic and geometric forms in the design was a deliberate effort to reflect the duality at the heart of the brand's identity," said Kanori. "The contrasting elements throughout the space embody the idea that femininity and strength can coexist."
The client's favourite shade of blue extends across all of the showroom's flooring, achieved by introducing blue pigment into the poured concrete.
"The bold use of blue throughout the space, a colour traditionally associated with masculinity, was an intentional statement – a testament to the shifting, female-driven future that Nezo champions," Kanori explained.
To soften the store's industrial palette and create a plain backdrop that keeps the focus on the clothing, Sanjay Puri Architects whitewashed all of the walls.
Mustard tones were incorporated through curtains, carpets and sofa upholstery to add warmth to the otherwise cool-toned showroom.
The studio transformed the structural columns within the space into multi-functional and aesthetic features, doubling as fitting rooms and integrating shelving on the exterior.
One column features a playful installation of mustard-coloured yarn balls encased in a glass box, symbolising the foundational role of textiles in fashion while creating a backdrop for photos.
"Yarn, as the foundational raw material of textiles, represents the very essence of fashion, and incorporating it into the store's design was a deliberate choice to honour and acknowledge this origin," said Kanori.
"This installation not only adds a creative touch to the space but also reinforces the brand's appreciation for the craft and materials at the heart of the industry."
An LED ceiling light installation flows throughout the space and adds a sculptural element, intended to mimic the fluid lines of a sketch.
"Indian fashion deserves to be celebrated not just as a beautiful craft but also for its immense potential in the global market," said Kanori.
"This showroom embodies that vision, serving as a platform to showcase the future of Indian fashion and setting a new standard for retail spaces that are both dynamic and forward-thinking."
Founded by Sanjay and Nina Puri in 1992, Sanjay Puri Architects has completed architecture and interior projects across India that explore spatial perceptions.
Among them is a spiral-shaped Rajasthan community centre and a family home in Bhilwara with scalloped walls.
The photography is by Pankaj Anand.
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