Inside Vayu’s New Lodhi Market Store, Where India’s Material Traditions Come Alive

• Vayu relocates from Bikaner House to a larger experiential space in Lodhi Market

• Store blends heritage crafts with modern collectible design

• Features rare art, textiles, sculptures, and contemporary home décor

On a crisp winter afternoon in New Delhi, Lodhi Colony offers a welcome pause from the city’s noise—its tree-lined streets, colonial-era buildings, and colourful murals forming an unlikely cultural sanctuary. Tucked within this artistic district is the newly opened Vayu Lodhi Market store, a destination that feels less like a retail outlet and more like a curated journey through India’s material heritage.

Formerly located at Bikaner House, Vayu — Design for Living has now moved into a larger, more open space in Lutyens’ Delhi. The shift, according to founder Vivek Sahni, was a natural evolution. With the previous lease concluding, the brand saw an opportunity to rethink its future and expand its vision beyond conventional retail.

“The Lodhi Road space allowed us to create an experiential environment,” Sahni explains. “It gives us the scale to host exhibitions, installations, and pop-ups, and also include a gallery where we can collaborate more closely with the artists and designers we work with.”

A Walk Through India’s Craft Legacy

Stepping inside the Vayu Lodhi Market store, visitors are greeted by a layered display of luxury collectables sourced from across India. The walls feature reverse glass paintings depicting nobles, courtesans, and aristocrats—a technique introduced to India in the late 18th century through East India Company, Chinese, and Parsi traders, and later mastered by Indian artisans.

Moving deeper into the space, Himachali shaman masks used during traditional festivals such as Faguli lend a mystical presence. These masks, believed to ward off evil spirits, sit alongside finely crafted Kashmiri papier-mâché chests, their hand-painted floral and bird motifs reflecting centuries-old artistry.

Regional Stories, Contemporary Expression

The store brings together craft narratives from India’s most culturally rich regions. From Ladakh, brands such as Mapcha, Lena Ladakh, and Saldon reinterpret traditional handspun and handwoven wool into contemporary lifestyle pieces inspired by Himalayan culture.

From Northeast India, handcrafted jewellery from Nagaland—featuring coral gemstones—celebrates tribal heritage and ceremonial traditions. Punjab’s vibrant Phulkari embroidery appears as striking wall panels, adding bold colour and texture to the space, while large sculptural pieces from South India hint at grand entrances of heritage homes.

Statement Pieces for Modern Homes

Among the standout offerings at the Vayu Lodhi Market store are brass sculptures by Arunachal Pradesh-based designer Jenjum Gadi. His polished fruit sculptures draw inspiration from memories of his mother’s garden, blending personal storytelling with traditional metal craft. Gadi’s Pichwai-inspired brass wall art and vintage-style head sculptures further anchor the collection, making them ideal statement pieces for contemporary living spaces.

The store also bridges tradition with modern design through its tableware collection. Glassware inspired by the Venetian Murano technique appears in candle stands, vases, and glasses, while ceramic plates featuring expressive brushstroke patterns add a modern flair to tablescaping.

A Platform for Independent Designers

Beyond heritage collectables, Vayu continues to collaborate with independent designers and studios such as Tablescapes, Amrich, Jobner, and Pottery Sipapu. These partnerships bring fresh perspectives to ceramics, object design, and lifestyle products that blend craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.

Sahni notes that some of his personal favourites include hand-etched brass coconut pieces by Jenjum Gadi, Shainchi Phulkari works, and yak wool dolls by Mapcha—each reflecting the brand’s commitment to preserving craft while allowing it to evolve.

More Than a Store

With its new address, the Vayu Lodhi Market store positions itself not merely as a place to shop, but as a living archive of India’s material traditions. By combining collectible art, regional crafts, and contemporary design in an immersive setting, Vayu offers visitors a deeper engagement with the stories, skills, and cultural memory embedded in Indian craftsmanship.