Mumbai Deco

From underneath the famous Wankhede cricket stadium to the garage of her old family home, Maithili Ahluwalia’s boutique Bungalow 8 has found itself in a variety of unusual locations in its seven-year history. Today, it resides in a 1857 building that Ahluwalia and her team have lovingly restored to its former glory—removing layers of wallpaper and office furnishings to reveal the building’s original neo-gothic columns and arched windows. Ahluwalia’s fastidious taste is also revealed in the selection of hand-picked East Asian and Indian artifacts she curates: Art Deco cupboards sit alongside vintage Gucci bags and antique oak beds, as well as housewares and jewelry from local designers including Ahluwalia’s mother, Jamini. When the shop first opened, its clean and contemporary ethos was considered avant-garde for the region, yet following the launch of Vogue India in 2007 and increasing interest from brands and designers in the country’s rapidly expanding market, Bungalow 8 has become representative of Mumbai’s new status as style hub. The store’s anthropological splendor is displayed in a spare manner—Ahluwalia is of the Martin Margiela mindset, a minimalist focusing on overturning the “bling and embellishments” that India is often associated with. Two years ago, Ahluwalia followed in the footsteps of her grandmother (who designed for Chanel), expanding into fashion with a womenswear line produced in collaboration with designer Mathieu Gugumus Leguillon, who has done stints at Lanvin and Yves Saint Laurent. Menswear is set to follow later this month.