India Mahdavi

About

India Mahdavi is an Iranian-French designer and architect internationally recognized for her bold use of color, playful forms, and a sensory approach to design. Born in Tehran in 1962, she grew up between different countries—including Paris and New York—which deeply shaped her multicultural aesthetic. She studied architecture and design at institutions such as the École des Beaux-Arts and the Parsons School of Design before beginning her career in renowned studios and later founding her own practice in Paris in 1999.

Her work spans architecture, interiors, furniture, and scenography, defined by a vibrant and sophisticated visual language often described as “polychromatic.” Mahdavi gained prominence with iconic projects such as the Sketch in London, particularly its famous pink-toned Gallery, as well as through collaborations with fashion and luxury brands. Her approach emphasizes the emotional experience of spaces, creating immersive environments that balance humor, elegance, and cultural identity.

Throughout her career, India Mahdavi has established herself as one of the most original voices in contemporary design, exploring the narrative potential of color and form. Her work challenges traditional minimalism by proposing an expressive and accessible aesthetic, in which design acts as a tool for connecting culture, memory, and sensory experience.

“ I will probably be remembered as someone who uses color as her own language. The language of freedom.”