AD: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN INTERIOR DESIGN?
MANU: I was always artistically inclined. As a child I was the teachers favourite in painting, clay modelling, wall decor etc. But alas everybody around me took it as a hobby only. I was not sure what I wanted to do myself except that I wanted a glamorous job, a fun job, something that would make me happy & rejuvenated. Due to societal and family pressures I pursued academics and completed an MBA from Fore school of Management (Delhi) after which my heart was not in the corporate/MNC/bank jobs that were much sought after in the 90s. I thought of joining the hospitality world - at least I would be in the glamorous environs.
Destiny took me to Taj hotels, where I got hired to design & do displays for the Khazana shopping arcades all over the country. That was my incubator, where I learnt a lot and worked with many prestigious brands and product categories. I performed exceptionally well and got accolades. After only 2 years of full time job, I moved abroad as a consultant and bagged multiple retail clients of that time. Interiors was always on the periphery (actually I was involved with various projects since the age of 13 only).This is when I realised my calling was in the field of Visual Merchandising and Styling.
I got another opportunity to train in IKEA (Delft) and work in UAE for the biggest guru of store design/communication & retail experience. After a very gratifying and successful stint abroad, I returned to a very inviting list of existing and new clients. Now I also had the confidence to start teaching in various institutes. Rest is history.
AD: WHO WERE YOUR EARLY DESIGN HEROES AND ROLE MODELS?
This story is from the January - March 2023 edition of Design Essentia Magazine.
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This story is from the January - March 2023 edition of Design Essentia Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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DE DISCOVER
Let's take an alluring journey through design while in conversation with young architects & designers of INDIA.
THE BRICK ABODE
A 10min drive from Auroville International township, this weekend house offers a perfect getaway from the hustle of both Pondicherry and Auroville.
THE HOUSE OF TRANQUIL ROOMS
Located in the rural village of Yavat, Maharashtra, India is The House of Tranquil Rooms' designed by CRAFT NARRATIVE for an agricultural family of two brothers.
APARTMENT 56
This 5200 sq.ft. apartment in South Mumbai designed by SAV ARCHITECTURE DESIGN focuses on horizontality and expansiveness. Inspired from land artists like Richard Serra and James Turner we have aimed to merge art, installation and interiors as a series of seamless living spaces.
SWATANTRA RESIDENCE
The SWATANTRA RESIDENCE is an intricate play of design and function that found its inception in the client's passion to create a home for three generations of his family.
LE MAISON DE PINGAKSH
A Neoclassical approach with the allure of castles in a swanky Indian habitat in this residence in Gurugram, India.
SABA'S HOUSE
This house situated in Aravali range in Gurugram, India has been designed in keeping with design ethos of sustainability hence both the material and the color palette appears raw yet refined. Designed by Saba Kapoor for Delhi-NCR based studio
The Eye Vet (GAUTAM SHEWA ARCHITECTS)
INTRODUCING YOUNG ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS OF INDIA
Ivory Dust (THE ARCH STUDIO)
INTRODUCING YOUNG ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS OF INDIA
Savita Villa (9 DEGREE DESIGN STUDIO)
INTRODUCING YOUNG ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS OF INDIA
