On view: Mrunalini Rao in Delhi

A store and a home-like gallery: it is the perfect canvas for her ensembles!

31 Jul 2025

Tucked inside Ambawatta One in Mehrauli, designer Mrunalini Rao’s very first flagship store in New Delhi reads less retail and more a private gallery. Previously known for her magnolious presence in Hyderabad, this new location designed by Ava Studio’s Alina Vadera Talwar brings Mrunalini Rao’s signature artisanal looks and love for Indian heritage textiles to the capital. It is designed such that the store lets couture and craftsmanship take the centre stage.

From the moment you pass through the arched entrance, you’re met with an experience that feels intimate but regal. Three mannequins stand at attention like silent sentinels, introducing you to the world of Mrunalini Rao. Each room spills into the next, guiding you intuitively through the space — and the collection — ensuring that no detail goes unnoticed.

"Designed with colonial architecture, antique elements and an all-white aesthetic, the store feels like home; a warm and intimate space where craftsmanship takes center stage" — Mrunalini Rao

Styling by Chetan Chhiller, photography by Avesh Gaur

BEYOND THE RACK

Like in any well curated gallery, the layout here is key, designed to unfold slowly. “Every corner narrates a story, taking you through my journey at every step,” shares Mrunalini. There are no abrupt transitions; only a series of private salons woven together through architecture. Carvings pierce solid walls, creating apertures that frame glimpses of what lies ahead. Large mirrors catch and reflect every detail, drawing you deeper into the space. Underfoot, textures shift with each expanse, however, with no visible seams.

A WHOLE LOOK

Just as the architecture choreographs a graceful journey through the store, the lighting and furniture add layers of mood to it. Large windows allow sunlight to pour in, casting a natural shine across the space. On the ground, carved stone furniture anchors the space — sculptural, yet functional, a nod to Indian craftsmanship and old colonial-era design. It brings the space back to its retail roots, reintroducing the idea of the store as a place of interaction, not just observation. Elements of colonial design also appear in the high ceilings, arched forms, and wooden accents, lending the store a sense of grandeur.

DRESSED IN SEQUINS, TEXTILES AND CRAFT

But the space doesn’t just serve as a backdrop for Mrunalini Rao’s collection — it stays in conversation with it. Antithetic to the weight of carved stone structures are lighter forms in wood and metal rod that carry a sense of visual lightness. Furnishings, here, are treated with the same reverence as the garments themselves. Upholstered chairs, cushions and rugs are dressed in colourful, patterned fabrics, echoing the embroidery on the mannequins beside them. Just as Mrunalini Rao’s works are framed against textured walls that catch light like garments clad with sequins, these textiles are set against the solidity of wood and a white sofa. Every composition reinforces the designer’s eye for texture, excellence and craftsmanship.