Project name: NEZO
Interior design: Sanjay Puri Architects
Lead Architect: Ayesha Puri Kanoria
Location: Mumbai, India
Photo: Pankaj Anand
Area: 1800 sq.ft
Year: 6th October 2024
Project description from design firms
The founder of the Nezo brand identified a gap in the Indian market for western wear stores and set out to create a brand that would unite designers from across the country, showcasing the diverse talents of emerging brands. She firmly believed that Indian designers represent the future of fashion, inspiring the creation of a dynamic, forward-thinking space that embodies that vision. The 1,800 square foot showroom space is located in Bandra, Mumbai, India.
Her goal was to ensure that anyone who steps into the store feels the boldness and vibrancy that the brand represents. Nezo’s tagline, “Wear Your Power,” reflects its mission to empower women through modern, striking silhouettes.
With this vision in mind, the architects set out to create a bold, futuristic space that truly reflects the essence of the brand. They aimed for an open layout that encourages consumers to interact with every collection.
Upon entering Nezo, guests are greeted by a sleek, curved chrome steel reception area along the left wall. The central space features a comfortable lounge where visitors can sit and contemplate their outfits. Clothing racks are strategically placed around the store’s periphery, enhancing the open feel of the center. Clusters of pedestal units were incorporated throughout, creating inviting island spaces for accessories that invite exploration. The firm worked around the columns in ways to ensure that they wouldn’t feel like a blockade in the fluidity of the store space; the backs of the two large columns serve as fitting rooms, while their other sides are outfitted with shelving for accessories. On the right column, they designed an installation wall featuring colourful balls of yarn housed in a glass box, providing a playful backdrop for fashion photoshoots.
In selecting materials, the firm aimed to encapsulate the futuristic vision of the store. They prominently featured chrome reflective steel, custom-designed racks made from rounded cast steel, and distinctive pedestals crafted from two-colour tiles, enhancing the branding. They even designed organic blue blobs to complement the blue grout of the tiled pedestals.
The entire floor showcases the client’s favourite shade of blue, achieved by introducing blue pigments into a seamless poured concrete finish.
To contrast the polished racks, the firm applied a Greek-inspired white-wash texture to the walls. The ceiling light installation mimics fluid movement, with a continuous LED rope that flows throughout the space, adding a sculptural element from every angle. The furniture mirrors the brand’s boldness, with carpets designed in organic shapes serving as a base for the more rectilinear pedestals. At every turn, juxtaposed organic and geometric forms are positioned in innovative ways, highlighting the fresh harmony between the contrasting elements. From each handle, to details on the mannequin figures, the firm designed every item thoughtfully to emulate the overall concept of the space.
On the whole, designing the store was a delightful experience, and both the Sanjay Puri Architects team and the client were happy that the final result successfully represented the firm’s vision of creating a space that reflected the forward thinking ideology of the brand.
Source: V2com-newswire.com
