STUDENTS FROM ISTITUTO MARANGONI MUMBAI EXPLORE MAISON RAHUL MISHRA

Istituto Marangoni Mumbai organised a walkthrough at Maison Rahul Mishra, the flagship store of Indian couturier Rahul Mishra located in Mumbai’s historic Kala Ghoda. #IMstudents from Fashion Business, Interior Design, and Product Design explored the space as a live case study in how couture identity, architectural design, and product presentation converge within a luxury retail environment.

Spanning approximately 7,500 square feet, Maison Rahul Mishra stands as the designer’s largest retail space and is conceptualised as a “living museum of couture and craft.” Designed in collaboration with architect and Istituto Marangoni Mumbai mentor,  Rooshad Shroff, the store transforms fashion into a spatial narrative where embroidery, materials, lighting, and architecture communicate the brand's values.

The walkthrough allowed students to closely observe how the couture universe of Rahul Mishra extends beyond garments into architecture and interior detailing. Entry into the flagship begins with a gallery-like environment displaying sketches, muslin prototypes, and embroidery studies, offering insight into the design development process behind the collections. 

For Fashion Business students, the visit revealed how luxury fashion houses translate brand identity into immersive retail environments. The spatial sequencing of the store, the display of couture collections, and the integration of art and storytelling illustrate how retail design can strengthen brand perception and customer experience. Observing the merchandising strategy and placement of collections provided a deeper understanding of how fashion brands build emotional connection and value within physical retail spaces.

For Interior Design students, Maison Rahul Mishra served as a study in how architecture can embody the language of a fashion house. The store’s design incorporates elements drawn directly from Rahul Mishra’s collections, including wood marquetry surfaces, sculptural lighting, embroidered walls, and handwoven carpets. These elements demonstrate how materials, textures, and lighting work together to create a coherent spatial narrative rooted in craftsmanship and heritage. 

For Product Design students, the flagship store presented insights into how crafted objects and display systems interact within a luxury retail environment. Bespoke furniture pieces, custom lighting fixtures, and installations derived from the designer’s motifs illustrate how product design contributes to both functionality and storytelling within a curated retail setting. Each element, from sculptural displays to carefully constructed installations reflects the role of product design in shaping the overall spatial experience.

Located in the heart of Mumbai, the flagship store also demonstrates how contemporary luxury retail can coexist with historic architecture.

Through this store visit, Istituto Marangoni Mumbai students gained a multi-disciplinary understanding of how fashion design, retail strategy, spatial design, and crafted objects collaborate in building a luxury brand environment. The walkthrough emphasised that in contemporary luxury, garments are only one part of the narrative; space, material, and experience play an equally significant role in shaping how a brand is perceived.