Award-winning designer Ashiesh Shah’s wabi-sabi approach celebrates the beauty in the imperfect and the impermanent.
Influenced by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi which is centered on the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete, Mumbai-based designer Ashiesh Shah’s creative approach is the antithesis of the classical Western notions.
With an extensive and diverse portfolio, Shah avoids the pitfalls of a signature style, continually adapting to the ever-changing narratives of his celebrity clients. What remains consistent is his ability to marry architecture and interior design with world-class art; a keen collector, Shah’s appreciation, and understanding of the arts often inspire and nourishes his practice and perspective.
Recently, Shah launched his atelier - amalgamating experimentation with centuries-old crafts and techniques that have been passed down generations of Indian craftsmen, the platform hopes to nurture a sustainable ecosystem for the nation’s creative communities.
Penthouse │ Marine Drive, Mumbai
High above the Mumbai skyline, this illustrious penthouse exalts in its gallery-esque ambiance. Here, art by the likes of Rajorshi Ghosh and Idris Khan rubs shoulders with sculptures by Alexander Lamont and others – all set in a monochrome architectural envelope. The penthouse’s envious art collection is complemented by unique pieces from Shah’s own collection: the Lingam bench by Jean Royere, for example.
Masque │Mahalaxmi, Mumbai
The restaurant’s commitment to sustainable and seasonal produce reflects in Shah’s approach to its interior. Transforming a disused warehouse with clean lines and warm interiors, he captures the restaurant’s ethos in a stark, sleek, yet impactful way, with a stunning metal installation by sculptor Rathin Barman serving as a focal point.
Raw Mango │Colaba, Mumbai
Designed in collaboration with the Goa-based multi-hyphenate creative entrepreneur, Isla Van Damme, the interiors of the boutique are inspired by the period details of its iconic Indo-Saracenic building. Shah masterfully incorporates an airy and minimal design approach with the building’s architectural features to offer a contemporary view on India’s architectural heritage.
Lingam Bench
Connecting his passion for the arts with a strong commitment to the country’s crafts communities, Shah creates limited-edition design objects that are both sculptural and functional. Designed as a pair of opposite equals in black and white marble, the Lingam bench is a fine example of the designer’s approach to contemporising traditional Indian iconography by distilling it to its purest forms.
To find out more about Ashiesh Shah and his practice, click here.
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