Shabnam Gupta, a celebrated name in the world of interior design, established The Orange Lane in 2003. Her journey into design was not a predestined path but rather a passion that evolved over time. Shabnam shares, “I was not someone who grew up knowing that I wanted to be in design. I don't come from a family of designers, but I did know that I was very passionate and creative about design. Once I was in college, I knew that I had found my calling. It was very natural to finally move into having my own studio space.” Initially, she was still finding her language, but over time, she realized her distinct style, which is maximalist and rooted in Indian culture.
Shabnam’s design ethos is deeply embedded in natural materials and biophilic design. She believes in creating spaces that evoke certain feelings and emotions. “Creating good-looking homes is easy, but our approach is holistic. We like to dive deeper into how powerful design is and how it makes a person feel. Our design is about how one feels more than how it looks,” she explains. This personalized approach sets her apart, as no design is like another, and each project is tailored to the client’s unique needs and preferences.
When starting a new project, Shabnam balances the client's vision with her own creative process. “We listen to the client, understand why they want a certain kind of home, but once we've decoded the client, it's our internal process that takes over. It's my pure joy that I derive from design, and we've been fortunate that our clients love what we do,” she says. This approach has led to many successful projects and satisfied clients over the years.
In 2010, Shabnam launched Peacock Life, reflecting her belief that “design is for everyone, not just the elite.” She started this label to create affordable, locally made design choices. “At that point, there were only a few known brands in the design industry, and they were priced ridiculously. It was more out of a rebel spirit that I started Peacock Life to create things which were born in India and affordable,” Shabnam recounts.
As an entrepreneur in the interior design industry, Shabnam has faced her share of challenges. “As a design studio, we've been blessed with clients who like our language of work. But as an entrepreneur, it’s been different. I've never marketed myself and always looked at this as a passion-driven business. We could have scaled much earlier, but I didn't know how to. We weren't funded, and I was stuck wanting to do things my way,” she shares. Despite these challenges, she is now making strides in retail and scaling the business.
For aspiring designers, Shabnam advises, “Don't succumb to cookie-cutter design. Understand if you're looking at it as a business or purely because you love designing. Pinterest and Instagram can only take you so far. After that, it has to be original and inspired work. Have your own language; you can't get away without it.”
Looking ahead, Shabnam has ambitious plans for both her labels. The Orange Lane is moving into the international arena, with exciting collaborative talks underway. For Peacock Life, she is planning to open more stores and create a community of like-minded, creative individuals. “A community of creative, like-minded people is the future. It’s about creating experimental products, having musical evenings, events, retail, product design, talks, and workshops,” she envisions.
Shabnam Gupta’s journey from discovering her passion for design to becoming a celebrated designer and entrepreneur is a testament to her creativity, dedication, and vision. With The Orange Lane and Peacock Life, she continues to push the boundaries of design, creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also emotionally resonant.
Words Platform Desk
Date 03.06.2024