Giovanni Molteni On What It Takes To Quench The Indian Market’s Appetite For Inclusive Design

Against a rich cultural milieu and a taste for contemporary uber-luxury tempered by a reverence for craftsmanship, India is rapidly emerging as a global centre for design. In keeping with this, Molteni&C launches its newest flagship store in the heart of Mumbai, with Vivono Designs, a Mumbai-based exclusive Italian furniture store. “We believe that the products are beautiful, but you need to have the right people to understand and express them. When we met Manish (founder of Vivono Designs), we knew he was the right person, given his more than 25 years in the industry. He understands Italian heritage, culture, craftsmanship and the quality of good-living and Italian design,” remarks Alessandro Ficco, Director Asia Pacific of Molteni&C.

As the brand’s first flagship store in India, it signals an expansion within the country’s evolving high-end design landscape. Designed to radiate the warmth of a home, the store unfolds through a sequence of home-bound scenes: living, dining, kitchen, bedroom and wardrobes. The layout moves seamlessly from outdoor to indoor and into intimate spaces, allowing visitors to experience the brand’s curated objects. This reflects the brand’s celebrated collaborations with leading architects and designers. From pieces by the brand’s creative director, Vincent Van Duysen, and an outdoor table by Foster + Partners to the Heritage Collection seatings, such as the 154.2 armchair by Gio Ponti, each piece lends the space a sense of timelessness. With the Mumbai flagship marking a pivotal moment in the brand’s journey in India, Design Pataki speaks with Giovanni Molteni, Vice President and grandson of the Molteni&C founders, about the brand’s growing engagement with the country’s design landscape.

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Design Pataki: What inspired the vision for the new Mumbai flagship, and how does it reflect Molteni&C’s global identity?

Giovanni Molteni: The vision for the Mumbai flagship was inspired by our commitment to creating spaces that feel like a welcoming, sophisticated home. The store reflects Molteni&C’s global identity by combining Italian craftsmanship, timeless design, and attention to detail with a curated experience tailored for the local market. It is both a showcase of our heritage and a space where contemporary architecture, art, and furniture converge.

DP: Molteni&C is deeply rooted in family heritage. How does this legacy inform your vision for the brand as it moves into new markets and generations of design?

GM: We are a family business. Heritage, tradition and innovation coexist at the heart of everything we do.

DP: What prompted Molteni&C to expand into India, and what has the comeback been like so far?

GM: Opening a flagship store in Mumbai marks a significant step in Molteni&C’s international growth and reflects the increasing relevance of the Indian market in the global design landscape. The opening of our new flagship store in Mumbai, in partnership with Vivono Designs, reflects our confidence in this market. Vivono Designs has a deep understanding of the local design landscape and shares our commitment to Italian craftsmanship and contemporary living solutions. We’ve just opened, but things are off to a good start.

DP: India’s design market is evolving rapidly, with a growing appetite for global design brands. How do you see the country shaping the future of Molteni&C’s presence in Asia?

GM: India is a market with a strong appetite for global design brands that bring heritage, quality, and innovation. As the market matures, India will play a strategic role in shaping Molteni&C’s presence in Asia, not just as a point of sale, but as a hub for design awareness, architectural collaborations, and the dissemination of contemporary Italian design values.

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DP: How does Molteni&C adapt its Italian design language to Indian homes, and how have Indian clients’ design sensibilities evolved over the past decade?

GM: Tailor-made is part of our approach. We adapt finishes, configurations, and modularity to the spatial realities and cultural habits of Indian homes. For example, Augusto sofa’s modularity allows clients to create bespoke solutions that fit every narrow space. The Indian market has become increasingly design-conscious in realising the value of craftsmanship, timeless materials, and functional solutions. There is a growing desire for interiors that are both elegant and tailored to personal lifestyles.

DP: Molteni&C has collaborated with architects and designers like Vincent Van Duysen, Foster + Partners, and Jean Nouvel. What makes these cross-disciplinary collaborations so central to the brand’s design language?

GM: These collaborations are central because they bring architectural perspectives. Working with architects and designers of different disciplines allows us to explore space, materials, and proportion in new ways, enriching our collections while maintaining coherence and timelessness.

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DP: Tell us about a collection or piece that is closest to your heart.

GM: The Molteni&C Heritage Collection. A forward-looking collection that preserves and enhances an artistic and cultural heritage, which would be otherwise lost. With this collection, Molteni&C traces its history back to the origins of modernity, starting from the works of Gio Ponti, the great architectural master of the 20th century.

DP: What are some of the most defining trends shaping residential interiors today, particularly in the luxury segment?

GM: A lifestyle approach, authenticity, personalisation, and sustainability. High-quality materials that last, a design that blends comfort with elegance, and timelessness, (are some of the key trends shaping the luxury design today).