HELLO! India Exclusive: The dynamic ladies keeping 'Art Deco Alive!'

In bustling Mumbai, curved balconies, porthole windows, and tropical motifs on pastel façades gleam under the humid light, echoing colonial nostalgia. Across the globe, in Miami, neon hues radiate against the Atlantic breeze on similar geometric structures. Although worlds apart, the two cities are united by the timeless allure of Art Deco — a parallel recognised by a new festival dedicated to the unique aesthetics of this architectural style.

To commemorate 100 years of the design movement, Art Deco Alive!, a twincity festival, has been organised in Miami and Mumbai. The event, held in Miami recently with over 80 partners, culminates in Mumbai with a symposium, heritage walks, curated talks, and city-wide cultural activities, in addition to an exhibition in partnership with Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum. And all of these were conceptualised and put together by Smiti Kanodia, Salma Merchant Rahmathulla, and Gayatri Hingorani Dewan.

“What resonates most deeply for me is how Art Deco captures a time when cities looked toward the future with confidence,” says Smiti. “The festival was born from that shared feeling, celebrating Mumbai and Miami’s twin heritage, two tropical, cosmopolitan cities that tell parallel stories of creativity, resilience, and hope through their architecture.”

THE MUMBAI-MIAMI CONNECT

Although Mumbai is home to the world’s second-largest collection of Art Deco buildings, this fact remains underacknowledged, even to its own residents. For Smiti, who grew up here, the cinema halls, seafront apartments, and the curve of Marine Drive are not mere structures but storytellers of a city that balances modernity with grace. Salma Merchant Rahmathulla grew up between London and Mumbai, spent her formative years in New York City, Washington D.C., and Paris, and has been in Miami for the past seven years. Deco, she says, “is one of the common threads connecting all the places I’ve called home — a shared visual language of optimism, geometry, and elegance.”

Gayatri Hingorani Dewan straddles dual cultures between India and the US, having grown up in Mumbai, lived in New York for 25 years, and the past three years in Miami. She explains: “Mumbai gave me roots, New York gave me the drive, and Miami brought back warmth, community, and colour… This duality has defined my aesthetic. In both Miami and Mumbai, Deco buildings are still homes, hotels, cinemas — active spaces filled with life and memory… The craftsmanship that defined the movement a century ago still feels relevant.”

Evidently, Art Deco Alive! was born out of deeply personal experiences and the realisation that Miami and Mumbai, share an extraordinary architectural and cultural heritage that’s never been explored side by side.

EARLY INITIATION

All three ladies had a similar sentiment spark their fascination with design. Early years in Mumbai meant spotting the curved corners of buildings in that familiar pale yellow, terrazzo floors, and geometric railings painted a bright green or red. Future visits to Miami’s South Beach, which echoes the same aesthetics — deepened their understanding of how architecture shapes a city’s identity. “That realisation — that two cities so different could share such a remarkable cultural thread — inspired me to create a bridge between them,” shares Smiti, while Salma adds, “It’s been inspiring to celebrate two cities that mirror each other in spirit, creativity, and resilience through a meaningful curation of events."

DAILY DESIGN DIRECTION

As individuals with an intrinsic love for heritage and architecture, creativity influences the way they traverse the world. Gayatri finds herself drawn to spaces with a sense of history — “the warmth of old brick, the calm of natural light, the harmony between old and new.” Similarly, Salma realised through the MumbaiMiami connect how architecture holds memory, and that preservation should evolve with change rather than resist it.

Smiti, former head and publisher of Time Out in India, finds herself excited by all aspects of culture, drawing inspiration from “a window in a Parsi colony home, a stroll along Marine Drive noticing the curved balconies, intricate fonts, and geometric patterns…” “Internationally, I’ve found myself equally captivated,” she adds. “New York’s Chrysler Building and Empire State Building remain timeless icons of Art Deco elegance. I also loved taking a boat ride in Chicago, sailing through its stunning Art Deco belt. And, of course, in Miami, I never tire of walking along the Art Deco district — the neon signs, vibrant façades, and distinctive typography make it feel alive.

THE VISION

Art Deco Alive! is only the beginning of a much larger conversation. The underlying idea was to spark curiosity — especially among young architects and designers — to see architecture as a living dialogue between time, place, and people, as a living source of inspiration. “I hope the festival encourages people to see heritage as alive and full of creative potential,” says Salma. “When we connect design to emotion and relevance, it becomes a living language.” The next step: build on the connections and collaborations the event sparked — between designers, institutions, and cities — besides taking it to different cities. “We’re exploring future programmes that continue to link heritage and contemporary design in both Miami and Mumbai through the Indo-Latin Collaborative Circle — a creative platform bringing together artists, designers, and entrepreneurs from India and Latin America to explore shared aesthetics and craftsmanship,” reveals Gayatri. “Alongside that, there’s Indo Chic, which brings Indian craftsmanship, fashion, and jewellery to a wider US audience through curated pop-ups in Miami, New York, and other cities.”

Ultimately, Art Deco Alive! isn’t just about buildings — it’s about people, ideas, culture, and the bridges we build between them

Photo credits: Art Deco Alive!

This story was featured in the Vol 1. Issue 5 of HELLO! India. For more exclusive stories, subscribe to the magazine here.