(Above: The Gallery at Sketch by India Mahdavi, photography by Rob Whitrow)

Few designers are as instantly recognizable — or as emotionally impactful — as India Mahdavi. Renowned for her fearless use of color and form, the Iranian-French, Paris-based architect and designer blends cultural richness with commercial clarity. Her interiors radiate personality: spaces that don’t just invite you in, but speak directly to how you want to feel once inside. For designers and clients alike, her work is a masterclass in atmosphere — demonstrating how color, materiality, and storytelling can shape both brand identity and user experience. From five-star hotels to global retail icons, Mahdavi’s spaces are as playful as they are precise. These five defining projects don’t just reflect a career that continues to shape the international design conversation, they show that in a world often drawn to minimalism, maximalism — when done right — can be timeless, tactile, and deeply human.

1. Sketch Gallery, London, UK

The Instagram icon that launched a thousand pinks.

India Mahdavi’s 2014 transformation of the Gallery at Sketch, a restaurant in London, into a plush, millennial pink wonderland remains one of her most famous works. With blush-colored velvet seating, rose-tinted walls, and David Shrigley’s irreverent illustrations, the space became a visual phenomenon — bold, irreverent, and emotionally resonant, exemplifying Mahdavi’s ability to craft immersive atmospheres through color. In 2022, the space got a brand-new look, a yellow-hued makeover helmed by Mahdavi with artwork from British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare.

2. L’Apogée Courchevel, Courchevel, France

Luxury at the summit — where Alpine tradition meets modern glamour.

Perched high in the French Alps, L’Apogée Courchevel is a five-star ski resort co-designed with Joseph Dirand. Mahdavi’s interiors bring a warm sensuality to the cold landscape — think rich velvets, sculptural lighting, and organic forms that nod to midcentury design. The result is a luxe yet intimate retreat that blends architectural discipline with playful elegance.

3. Café de l’École des Beaux-Arts, Paris, France

When classic meets contemporary in the most Parisian way.

Nestled inside the revered École des Beaux-Arts, or school of the fine arts, Mahdavi’s café design pays homage to the institution’s artistic legacy while injecting a contemporary spirit. Graphic floor tiles, curvaceous furnishings, and a mix of historical reverence and joyful modernity reflect her gift for bridging past and present — making design both relevant and timeless.

4. Ladurée Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, USA

A dreamy take on French patisserie — wrapped in California sunshine.

Mahdavi reimagined the famed French macaron house with a Hollywood twist. The Beverly Hills boutique brims with soft hues — mint greens, powder blues, and blush pinks — creating a visual delicacy that mirrors the pastries themselves. Her design elevates the brand’s identity into a full sensory experience, adding a dose of West Coast whimsy to Parisian refinement.

5. Villa Medici, Rome, Italy

Renaissance heritage meets chromatic reinvention.

For the reimagining of this 16th-century palace, Mahdavi introduced her signature palette of saturated hues, playful geometry, and modern furnishings. The result is a vibrant dialogue between history and contemporary design — where gilded tradition is married with bold color and sculptural form, proving that heritage can be both honored and reimagined.

Read more Perspective: Design is Everywhere here