DP Offline x Commune: The Chic Singaporean Furniture Brand Unveils Their Flagship Store In India
The Singaporean furniture brand Commune marked its grand debut in India with the opening of its flagship store at Raghuvanshi Mills, Mumbai earlier this month. Hosted in collaboration with Design Pataki, DP Offline, the event aimed to draw attention to the exquisite craftsmanship and quiet luxury of Commune’s furniture collections displayed. Nestled prominently at the entrance of the decor hub mill compound, the two-storeyed Commune store serves as a showcase of luxury lifestyle and thoughtful, opulent designs. Founder and Chief Design Officer, Julian Koh, alongside Chief Executive Officer Joshua Koh of Commune Singapore, were present for the event, for this special occasion.
Esha Gupta, the Founder of Design Pataki, orchestrated a captivating event in collaboration, inviting design aficionados and industry experts to witness the grand debut of Commune in the Indian market. The highlight of the evening was the mesmerising presence of ‘Blanka,’ an exquisite origami dragon installation meticulously crafted by Himanshu Agrawal, embodying the launch’s underlying theme celebrating the ‘Year of the Dragon,’ and extending a larger-than-life welcome to esteemed guests. Calligraphy artist Rachana Takawale made the event extra special with a live calligraphy setup. Renowned architects, artists, and designers namely Zubin Master, Pallavi Shetty, Hemal Kothari, Misbah Kapadia, Sejal Shah, Viraj Mithani, Ali Baldiwala, Bhavya Kenkare, Farah Bomanbehram, Priya Lakhotia Parikh, Chirag Dewan, Komal Sachdev, Rohit Bhoite, Rajiv Khushalani, Naishadh Jhaveri, Rohini Bagla, Puran Kumar, Tejal Mathur, Sonia Gehlot, Rajiv and Ekta Parekh, Arjun Rathi, Pooja Bihani, and Ajay Patil amongst many others were present at the opening event.
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Embracing the thematic spirit, guests embarked on a treasure hunt curated by the Design Pataki team for little origami dragons hidden within the intricacies of furniture pieces across the store. The evening unfolded into resourceful discussions as guests were given store tours guided by Mr. Piran Master, the store manager, and Mr. Dinkar Chellaram, the brand’s Managing Director for Commune India.
The store designer has retained the vintage brick cladding on the facade, a relic from the building’s past as a printing press. The store spans two stories, covering over 7000 square feet, with an outdoor patio featuring a landscaped garden. Patrons can envision furniture in various home settings within the showroom space. The ground floor of the store features the ‘Alt.o by Commune’ collection, offering variants like the mid-century modern ‘Axel’ and a tropical-themed ‘Tierra’.
Meanwhile, on the first floor, patrons will find the classic ‘Commune’ range, equally high on design and embodying the brand ethos of creating a lifestyle that brings people together in style and comfort. Commune’s designs prioritise human-centric beauty, reflecting progressive tastes and impeccable style.
The brand originated from a drive to exceed the status quo and to epitomise fervour in both design and service. A subsidiary of Koda, Southeast Asia’s leading furniture producer for more than half a decade now, Commune epitomises serene modernity, seamlessly blending functionality with graceful form and meticulous craftsmanship. Their collections exude the essence of serene living, offering a range of opulent designs spanning various interior themes to suit diverse tastes. With a firm commitment to accessibility, their products marry functionality, aesthetics, and premium materials at competitive prices, catering to discerning Indian clientele and enthusiasts of understated luxury.
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“We don’t want people to identify us as mid-century or any particular style, we want to stay with the trend, adapt and innovate with it,” says Julian Koh, CFO at Commune.
This opening is one of many steps the brand has taken in expanding its global presence. They have also been touring at leading design fairs and are set to open more stores across India. The brand store showcases the collection done in collaboration with designer Michael Young. Furthermore, the brand aims to foster interactions and collaborations with Indian designers who share its ethos, enriching the design landscape in the region. The event witnessed the attendance of several design industry professionals, among whom were Manuela Catania, Mevin Murden, Aziz Amin and Sakina Sakerwala, Rati Chaudhary, Nidu Divakaran, Rahul Anand, Grant and Erin Neff Garmezy, Adesh Sidhu and Mandana Karimi.
“We are definitely looking forward to collaborating with Indian designers and artists that resonate with our brand philosophy and style,” said Julien and Joshua Koh, the founder-sibling duo.
After 13 years of inception as a brand, Commune’s inaugural flagship store launch in Mumbai stands as a testament to the brand’s commitment to elevating design experiences in India. With a seamless fusion of luxury, craftsmanship, and cultural resonance, the event not only showcased Commune’s exquisite offerings but also fostered meaningful connections within the design community. As Commune embarks on its journey in India, it promises to redefine the landscape of modern living, catering to the discerning tastes of Indian clientele while staying true to its ethos of sustainability and innovation.
