LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SOMEONE ONCE SAID, “IF YOU THINK GOOD
design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design.” They couldn’t have been more spot on. There are elements of design in everything around us; from the ergonomic curve of the pillow that is designed right for a hundred sleeps only, to the faucet in our toilet, to the works of functional art that dot out homes. There is no such thing as the absence of design, but how it tricks and seduces us depends in part on its utility and in part on how we choose to consume it. This issue of Spice is a celebration of thoughtful design and its impact on the world around us. Our cover story traces the journey of four Indian innovative designers who have mapped global journeys because of their belief in designs without borders. Jewellery, products, clothes, accessories, functional art, we traverse the world of these Indian brands and get a glimpse of how they have satisfied the need for an idea or object through their design that is now being feted globally. Nappa Dori started off as a design-heavy accessories brand and is now exploring new frontiers in London; Isharya is a jewellery brand with a strong aesthetic that has taken it worldwide and made it popular with divas like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, and Selena Gomez ; Gunjan Gupta’s Studio Wrap reimagines the purpose and design of everyday objects that are the toast of the world; and Nicobar uses design to attract the young, restless, rich traveller looking for convenience in everyday travel objects and has made Maldives its temporary home. Their brands are exciting examples of how design can change narratives and pulse life into the mundane. We also delve into the world of automobiles and chart how top luxury auto makers are conscious of how good design can make the difference between a new generation of car lovers turning to their brand or not. What’s the future of design? Saket Sethi from Archlogics, which is ‘a collective of avant-garde designers redefining contextual future living from a historical perspective,’ shares his thoughts on the subject. Modern design in old homes, hot trends, design ideas and products that are shaping consumption, all find their way into our pages, pushing you to look at things anew, by design.