Ensembles of crafts in Kala Ghoda

Indian minimalism takes a new shape inside Rina Singh’s EKÁ Atelier in Kala Ghoda

29 May 2025

Walking through the neo-Palladian doors of the new EKÁ store in Mumbai is like experiencing a glimmer of Indian minimalism, much like the woven identity engulfed within its details. Indeed true to its tagline as it says on Instagram: clothes for poets. The flagship appears grounded yet uber-contemporary imagined by the label’s founders Rina Singh and Sandeep Dua. The sensory journey for EKÁ begins right in the backdrop of Kala Ghoda, adjacent to an old bakehouse, where it weaves the details naturally in the context of heritage, not as a contrast, but as a continuation. For the founders, the place is deeply autobiographical. The poetic calm lingers in the limewashed textures, reclaimed wood and bajra glass; a still spectacle evoking emotional resonance. Singh’s reflection of her childhood remains rooted in her present creations, perfectly capturing the essence of EKÁ’s philosophy.

“EKÁ means one in Sanskrit, and everything in this space speaks to that unity. We’ve nurtured a delicate balance between past and the present, between craftsmanship and design, and a dialogue choreographed with care and intention,” Singh reflects, as if distilling a personal philosophy.

Reclaimed teakwood flooring runs throughout the corridor, framed by lime plaster-finished arches and display racks in powder-coated metal, holding textiles from EKÁ; Photography by Suleiman Merchant

Borrowed from the past

Recalling the earthy hues, nostalgic scents and tactile surfaces memorise her childhood home. A juxtaposition of the Kadappa underfoot and the wood around, EKÁ’s interiors embrace moments of sustainability and a depth in design.

“With this store, we want to create a physical manifestation of intimate immensity that reflects EKÁ,” Singh says. “The space is a diagrammatic expression of traditional craftsmanship while cradling a minimalist modern aesthetic, much like our sartorial collection.”

Indian roots of reality

Singh partnered with her co-founder and husband Sandeep Dua to create this measured, meaningful and radical sketch-to-space. Drawing from their North Indian roots, the design subtly manifests a spatial sensibility that recalls architectural nostalgia into a contemporary language. They engaged artisans from across India, reviving regionalist design techniques at risk of fading into obscurity.

Perhaps the most striking sensory experience is the ceiling, where hundreds of one-inch wooden pieces form an intricate geometry of architectural expression. This installation draws the eye in a manner reminiscent of indigenous craftsmanship, where repetition and precision meet to create a dance of visual poetry. Against this intentional intricacy, a narrative of historical details echo with a collection of antiques handpicked from Southeast Asia.

The duo revived conventional detailing in the brass fixtures, handcrafted not just to illuminate but to shimmer with soul, whilst the concrete elements provide structural authenticity that grounds the entire experience.

The lime plaster-finished reception counter with embossed EKÁ signage is set against terracotta tiled flooring, while an eclectic collection of figurines and ceramics sourced by EKÁ lines the upper ledge and shelving; Photography by Suleiman Merchant

EKÁ’s ensembles are suspended from custom powder-coated metal rods, while the reclaimed teakwood shelving and lime plaster-finished walls reflect its earthy palette; Photography by Suleiman Merchant

Responding to design responsibly

The muffled natural light gushing in through the bajra glass panel paints a play of shadows across the textured surfaces. This conversation of light and the material is a corroboration of the founders’ belief that design should be attuned to nature’s cadence, rather than in defiance of it. The carefully curated haptic architecture guides the emotional tempo of the space.

The store’s multisensory design embodies a contemplative shopping experience. The spatial richness can be described as less a transaction, and more a moment of mindful pause. With this flagship, Singh and Dua have curated a spatial ode, one that pays homage to conscious living and invites visitors to soften the pace and savour the luxury of what is real, rooted and enduring.