æquō: the first collectible design gallery in India opened its doors in Mumbai

Mumbai, 14 July 2022 - Collectible design gallery æquō was conceived by Founder Tarini Jindal Handa and Creative Director Florence Louisy, following a chance meeting in Paris in 2019 when the two discussed the absence of collectible design in India and the importance of preserving the heritage of Indian craftsmanship. 

The gallery, based in the historic district of Colaba, Mumbai, opened its doors in early 2022 and envisions an equal dialogue between makers, designers and materials creating bespoke furniture and interior objects. It is by exploring and claiming this intersection that æquō has become India’s first-ever gallery dedicated to contemporary collectible design. 

æquō’s goal is to connect global minds with Indian resources in order to create new lenses and unique languages with which to revisit the country’s heritage. This is achieved by inviting international designers to immerse themselves within India’s deeply rooted craft techniques and to work collaboratively with æquō’s extensive network of skilled artisans.

“My grandmother started India’s first art residency and my mother founded the Art Magazine of India so I grew up surrounded by the arts. I knew very early on that I wanted to continue their legacy by focusing on preserving India’s crafts and meeting Florence cemented this mission. Introducing western designers to the incredible craftsmanship of my country creates new and unexpected outcomes which not only assist in preserving these unique manufacturing methods but also opens up a dialogue between cultures.” Tarini Jindal Handa.

The outcome of these dialogues showcases a profound appreciation for the value of raw materials pushing its boundaries and creating a distinct language in the process.

Florence explains: “æquō redefines the future of Indian craftsmanship, presenting it in its best light to preserve it. This project creates unique and unexpected collectible pieces in limited editions that explore the transformative potential of Indian crafts while still carrying the intrinsic values of a community.”

Making this process as collaborative as possible was a key consideration in developing æquō’s space in Colaba. To aid in the design of the space Tarini turned to architect Ivan Oddos who reimagined the historic building that houses the gallery to include two workshops as well as a showroom. Clean lines and huge open spaces characterise the interior where every detail down to the door handles was a bespoke design. 

The generous volume of the gallery is flooded by natural light gently shining through double-height french glass windows whilst the interior can be reconfigured into smaller rooms by simply closing a series of Parisian-style interior glass doors. From Kota stone and marble to red terracotta and teak wood, every material used to create æquō has been sourced locally.

æquō’s debut showcase features a selection of pieces designed by Florence Louisy herself. Titled RAW, the exhibition presents eight unique collections that perfectly combine Florence’s design sensibility with a vast range of craft techniques that span from pottery to embroidery. 

Her collections include sculptural bronze pieces cast in Mumbai, curved oak furniture pieces built in Mysore, brass, and silver plated tables created in Jaipur, hand-sculpted marble lights created in Makrana, ​ and linen rugs hand-knit in Uttar Pradesh; to name a few. 

The sheer diversity of material and technique explored in her pieces offers a unique insight into the country’s craft potential and into Indian materiality through Florence’s eyes.
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NOTE TO EDITORS 

Mumbai
​Address: Devidas Mansion, Unit N° 11, 1st Floor, B K Boman Behram Marg, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
​Opening Hours: 11 - 7pm Monday / 11 - 4pm Tuesday
​By appointment 

ABOUT TARINI JINDAL HANDA

Tarini Jindal Handa, born in India, is æquō’s founder.

Third-generation entrepreneur, Tarini was raised experiencing the tradition of arts patronage firsthand; her grandmother started Kanoria Centre of Arts,  the first artist residency in India and her mother founded the Art Magazine of India. Tarini was drawn to the creative industries from a young age. 

Her studies in Fashion Marketing at the American University in London led her to open India’s first multi-brand fashion store called Muse. But the pull toward cultural preservation, craftsmanship, and design innovation was too strong, leading her to change course and eventually closing the store. Shortly after she began to explore the world of architecture and real estate. ​ ​ ​ 

Working for JSW Realty, she was able to connect with local craftspeople, cementing her desire to champion cultural preservation and innovation within the design and artisan spheres. ​ This led her to found æquō in early 2022 - India’s very first collectible design gallery. Based in Colaba, Mumbai’s historical centre, æquō’s goal is to introduce the global design community to Indian materials and craftsmanship, creating a new way of seeing the country’s rich and diverse heritage. 

In an ongoing commitment to cultivate and showcase India’s social and cultural legacies, Tarini envisions æquō as an experimental project that transcends borders and democratises its participants.

ABOUT FLORENCE LOUISY

Florence Louisy is a French designer who graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands under the guidance of Ilse Crawford and Formafantasma. There she discovered design as a masterpiece. The choice of materials, the techniques, and the hand that shapes them are sufficient elements to make a meaningful piece. A rich experience that leads her into the field of collectible design where furniture becomes sculpture, and where materiality is a bearer of history.