Architectural Digest, India’s leading design authority, commenced the third edition of AD Design Show on 14 August 2021, in a virtual format. AD Design Show is an online resource with a showcase of the best Indian and international brands and products. It showcases brands designing products across multiple categories: furniture, carpets, antiques, marble, accessories, bathrooms, kitchen, lighting, paints, and many more. The show kicked off with a compelling schedule running across two days that entailed exciting house tours, panel discussions, and talks by the most iconic names in the design sphere.
Asian Paints continues to be the title partner for AD Design Show, even in its virtual form. In a year marked with challenges, the company has continued to build upon its legacy, and expanded its portfolio, first with Adôr, a range of furniture, decorative lights, and furnishings, and six months later, released three more collections in the fabric and furnishing category. The Pure Concept for Nilaya, PURE–Royale and finally, the pièce de résistance, Sabyasachi for Nilaya.
AD Design Show Virtual launched with a special welcome from Alex Kuruvilla, the managing director of Condé Nast India, and AmitSyngle, managing director and CEO of Asian Paints. Headlining the show was a special presentation by global design legends and Pritzker Prize winners. Two icons of the architecture world came together for the first time at AD Design Show Virtual BV Doshi, winner of the Padmi Shri as well as the Padma Bhushan, and Frank Gehry, the renowned modern architect behind world-famous marvels, including the Guggenheim Museum. To engage design enthusiasts further, the line-up encompassed Instagram Lives and city-specific conversations between architects, designers, and photographers along with other creative experts who showcased the cities of Bengaluru, Goa, and Chandigarh like never before. AD spoke to Diana Kellogg, the architect behind one of its most fascinating covers, who revealed the story behind the amazing RajkumariRatnavati Girls School in Jaisalmer. The most-awaited and popular home tour series made a comeback this year. Viewers were taken into the homes of tastemakers in New Delhi, Mumbai, and London.
AD Design Show Virtual went live on 14 August and will run through till 30 November 2021, on a crisply designed independent digital platform as well as across AD’s social channels. The online format will allow architects, designers, and every design lover across the globe to witness the exciting line-up of events planned.
“Asian Paints has always been a champion of innovation and creativity in home decor and we’re thrilled to continue our association with AD Design Show, now in a virtual format for its third edition. AD Design Show Virtual is a great opportunity for us to partner as it’s a unique and interactive luxury design platform and Asian Paints definitely stands for such breakthrough initiatives.” Amit Syngle, managing director and CEO, Asian Paints.
“Once a year all roads led to the Dome—AD Design Show was the most sought-after destination for design lovers across the country and the world. Not only has our first virtual AD Design Show overcome the challenges of the times we live in but it is now bigger, brighter, and better. Digital technologies have helped us recreate the event in its exciting, new virtual avatar which enables us to reach an unprecedented global audience in a dynamic, interactive user-friendly platform. The overwhelming participation of over 100brands is testimony to the power of AD India and its signature event, AD Design Show.” Alex Kuruvilla, managing director, Condé Nast India.
“With our editorial programming this year, we’ve really tried to cast a wider net. On one hand, we have international, larger-than-life people like Frank Gehry and BV Doshi, who’ve inspired a generation, but on the other, we zoom into micro topics like the tapestries inside the Capitol Complex by Le Corbusier in Chandigarh or what’s motivating designers and other creatives to move to Goa in such large numbers. There is something for everyone to learn about, and more importantly, to enjoy.” Komal Sharma, head of editorial content, AD.
