GENDER ESSAY

Feminine Interior Design

Critical Issues in Interior Design

AH5007
Fathima Asma Ridmi Hanifa
3090
Drawing on 2-3 interior design examples, discuss how gender has impacted on interior
design and its meaning. Examples could be drawn from different periods in history to
demonstrate the enduring or shifting ways in which gender is expressed in the interior.

In this research, I will be exploring some extraordinary and talented architects and designers
who broke the gender stereotypes in designing, which helped shift how interiors are
demonstrated and how current female designers have stepped up to make a change in interior
design. I’ll be discussing how a designer helped evolve the male-oriented interior design
industry, which has changed over time with female designers’ steps into the industry with
their vibrant and classy ideas, which really made an evolution in the interior design industry.

"We do not embroider cushions here", is a quote by Le Corbusier to female designer

Charlottle Perriand, who came to his studio to present her portfolio. Charlotte Perriand is a
successful creative woman and is known for her furniture designs. She is given a lot of
credentials in her legacy because she was a strong woman who hated the "woman designer"
movement but who lifted the women up at the beginning stage of females designing interiors.
All her designs are holistic and encompass blueprints that combine art, nature, and an active
lifestyle within a single dwelling (Elephant, 2019). She was someone who brought down
walls to get women's freedom of movement beyond the kitchen and closed doors. She was
not the only one; there were many other women who were there after her to join hands for
this evolution, like Minnette de Silva, who paved the way for modern Sri Lankan architecture
(Scroll. 2019), and Ellien Grey, who carved out her space in the male-centric world of
modernism. There are many women like this to pave the way for every woman who’s
working in the industry now, and the evolution has changed a lot over the years (Royal
Academy, 2021).

When it comes to celebrating women in interior design, it

has always been a surprising fact that female designers were
not recognized by the male-dominated industry in the 19th
century. After numerous female-oriented movements,
designers started transforming domestic spaces into classy
designs by female designers, from which a few individuals
saw and recognized the talent, which led clients to gradually
work with female designers, and over time, currently there
are 79% female designers in the industry, which is a huge
recognition for female designers and for everyone who
worked hard towards this evolution. (Digitalcommons, 2015)
Female designers undoubtedly have shaped the industry in a
very modern, sleek style by some of the most forward-
thinking females in the industry. Some of the most iconic
designers and architects who introduced new style and ideas
to the industry are Zaha Hadid, India Mahdavi, Ilse Figure 1: India Madhavi
Crawford, Dorothy Draper, Andree Putman, and Elsie de (AD Magazine, 2021)
Wolfe. Here, I will be choosing one of the designers whose work I was inspired by to show
her journey and work to date. (Luxdeco, 2023)

To begin with, I would like to introduce the designer I was really inspired by when I started my
research on female interior designers and their designs: India Madhavi is a designer who started
her studio in 2000 and who developed her vision of happiness and color, which she never ceases
to back down on. Thereafter, she continuously expanded the design line and boutiques, which
supported crafts and ancestral artifacts, and went through her signature color palette. (India
Madhavi, 2021).

The pink, plush spot for a pot is what you would suddenly get to see in her designs with velvet
cocoon seats. India Madhavi was the woman behind this and many other interiors, which are
spinning the wheel of this current cultural aesthetic. In an interview with Vogue, she opened up
about her career and vision for the design output now, saying, I trained as an architect and was
passionate about films; interior design seemed a perfect space to express my vision, and the pink
room at the gallery at Sketch in London made an impact, but the Red Valentino stores, the
restaurants I designed for Thierry Costes in Paris, the Coburg Bar at the Connaught hotel in
London, the Hotel du Cloitre in Arles, Laduree in Geneva, and Beverly Hills—all of them have
become references". (Luckel, 2017).

Gender played a major role in the interior design styles back in the day, which characterized a
feminine interior design through curves, decorative furnishings, and warm, soft tones. It was
stereotyped to mention that pink is only for women, but eventually the feminine style opened to
all genders and started representing a versatile, lovable, and gorgeous trend that could be adapted
in any home.

The use of color changed from soft to warm and muted shades to brighter tones. Sharply brush-
stroked textured walls were created to give the wall a more elevated appearance. Statement
switches designed in gold to highlight the luxury in a space with the most decorative flair are
pendant lights. Feminine designs are well known for their luxe interior designs, which is a huge
benefit for them. (Soholighting, 2021).

In the Lux Deco magazine release, India Madhavi was recognized as one of the game changers
in the field of female interior designers, who are mostly known for dressing head to toe in candy
floss pink before that was a thing. She has had many successful collaborations with Louis
Vuitton. Laduree, Valentino, and many other brands helped her play around with her instantly
recognizable pastel interiors. Many individuals love her because she has succeeded where others
might have failed in turning their childhood inspiration of Disney movies and other cartoons into
highly Instagrammable and artistic spaces. (Luxdeco, 2022).

India Madhavi has curated a very colorful exhibition for Svenskt Tenn. A Swedish homeware
brand. This is a print that was developed in the 1940s. The print depicts a "tree of life" hung with
fruits and vegetables.

The French architect has done design work in collaboration with a Swedish homeware brand.
The entire exhibition was dominated by the print, which was used to cover two sofas designed
 Figure 2: Tree of life print (Dezeen, 2022) Figure 3: Tree of life cushion details
(Dezeen, 2022)
by her as well as the walls, and she only uses soft fabrics when the design is getting printed.
The initial idea was to have it on the cushion to add more color and a playful feel, but it was
added to the multi-patterned furniture and walls as well. The designs were done before the
COVID pandemic began and the exhibition was postponed, but after the pandemic and with
the exhibition launch, the trade fair is now focusing on a very strong comeback with this
design, and I would personally say it’s a good outcome for a designer to have such a vibrant
and detailed design launching after a world pandemic. (Cajsa Carlso, 2022)

Consists of a blend of sophistication with

humor and a sense of playfulness with all over
bright colored prints.

Heavy influence of pop art.

Figure 4: Tree of life wall print

(Dezeen, 2022)

This is another interior space designed by India Madhavi that has a very evocative and
luminous atmosphere. This was a dream project of Pierpaolo Piccioli and India Madhavi,
from which they knew they could influence many other individuals across the globe and
contribute to the brand's value, so they kept the original design style of Madhavi, for which
Piccioli agreed to start working. The use of bubblegum pink and mustard yellow velvet
panels for the interior of the LFB for RED Valentino made the space stand out well. The
partitions and furniture are all curving, and the terrazzo flooring is again patterned in circles.
The brand has a dreamy and romantic spirit, narrating a story that combines the eccentric
bold style with vibrant colors, which was the designer’s style, but with the added goal of a
new adventure in the eccentric and dynamic city of London, where experimentation and
drawing became a must before putting them into reality (Architonic, 2016).

The space immediately gives a very romantic

feel with the use of a nude pink and salmon
pink with a touch of brass finish around every
end of the furniture.

The lighting of the space is

also not too bright rather is
very muted.
Figure 5: REDValentino interior (Architonic,
2016)

Figure 6: REDValentino glass detailing Figure 7: REDValentino flooring (Architonic,

(Architonic, 2016) 2016)

A circular designed flooring which syncs in well with the

curved and circle mirrors detailed with the brass frames all
around the mirrors to show the luxury in the same amidst the
salmon pink background wall paneling.
Overall, India Mahdavi’s style has been evolving itself, as her love for vibrant colors has
really inspired many designers to recreate vibrant and colorful looks in their designs when
designing for their clients. She has been one of the designers who started designing curved
usable furniture, which was known to be female products back in the day but now is used by
all genders as it is very comfortable, usable, and aesthetic. She has been one of the designers
who started designing curved usable furniture, which was known to be female products back
in the day but now is used by all genders as it is very comfortable, usable, and aesthetic.
Seeing all these evolutions as a designer, I feel very confident in the industry I have chosen
because female designers have made great changes in this industry, which has helped many
young female designers put their best foot forward in creating unique and innovative pieces
for the public. With more female designers in the industry, we can see the demand and
change that society has undergone due to the earlier movements of the most recognized
female designers, as I have mentioned above. Interior design has changed over time; gender
has revolved and transpired over time to the point where gender isn’t spoken about when
designing a space; everything has become more neutral, making all genders equal. Maybe we
can have a pop of color in our space, like India Madhavi's work, as it brings a lot of light to
the space, which is something I would take inspiration from in the future when I design for
my clients.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Black, W.by H. (2021) Is trailblazing architect and designer Charlotte Perriand a feminist icon?,
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perriand-feminist-icon/ (Accessed: April 11, 2023).

Cajsa Carlson |6 September 2022 Leave a comment (2022) India mahdavi curates colourful
frankly yours exhibition for Svenskt Tenn, Dezeen. Available at:
https://www.dezeen.com/2022/09/06/india-mahdavi-frankly-yours-exhibition-svenskt-
tenn/ (Accessed: March 21, 2023)

Doyle, M. (2019) Eileen Gray: An architect and designer you should know: Blog: Royal
Academy of Arts, Blog | Royal Academy of Arts. Available at:
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11, 2023).

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(Accessed: March 21, 2023).

Luckel, M. (2017) Meet India mahdavi, the Interior Design World's burgeoning queen, Vogue.
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Psychology behind masculine and feminine interior design - Tokyo Grand Renovation (no date)
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Studio (2021) India Mahdavi. Available at: https://india-mahdavi.com/studio/ (Accessed: March

21, 2023).

Tajbhoy, R.B. (2019) How Sri Lanka's first woman architect built a lasting legacy in a man's
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REFERENCE

Black, W.by H. (2021) Is trailblazing architect and designer Charlotte Perriand a feminist icon?,
ELEPHANT. Available at: https://elephant.art/trailblazing-architect-designer-charlotte-
perriand-feminist-icon/ (Accessed: April 11, 2023).

Cajsa Carlson |6 September 2022 Leave a comment (2022) India mahdavi curates colourful
frankly yours exhibition for Svenskt Tenn, Dezeen. Available at:
https://www.dezeen.com/2022/09/06/india-mahdavi-frankly-yours-exhibition-svenskt-
tenn/ (Accessed: March 21, 2023)

Doyle, M. (2019) Eileen Gray: An architect and designer you should know: Blog: Royal
Academy of Arts, Blog | Royal Academy of Arts. Available at:
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/eileen-gray-architect-designer (Accessed: April
11, 2023).

Feminine interior design ideas (2021) Soho Blog. Available at:

https://www.soholighting.com/blog/feminine-interior-design-
ideas/#:~:text=A%20feminine%20interior%20aesthetic%20is,colour%20that%20would%2
0work%20well. (Accessed: March 21, 2023).

Female designers who changed the industry (2022) LuxDeco. Available at:
https://www.luxdeco.com/the-luxurist/iconic-female-designers-who-changed-the-game
(Accessed: March 21, 2023).

Luckel, M. (2017) Meet India mahdavi, the Interior Design World's burgeoning queen, Vogue.
Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.com/article/india-mahdavi-interior-designer
(Accessed: March 21, 2023).

Mahdavi, I. (2016) Redvalentino by India Mahdavi: Shop Interiors, Architonic. Architonic.

Available at: https://www.architonic.com/en/project/india-mahdavi-redvalentino/5103621
(Accessed: March 21, 2023).

Studio (2021) India Mahdavi. Available at: https://india-mahdavi.com/studio/ (Accessed: March

21, 2023).

Tajbhoy, R.B. (2019) How Sri Lanka's first woman architect built a lasting legacy in a man's
world, Scroll.in. Scroll.in. Available at: https://scroll.in/magazine/919328/how-sri-lankas-
first-woman-architect-built-a-lasting-legacy-in-a-mans-world (Accessed: April 11, 2023).
IMAGE REFERENCE

Image 1: India Mahdavi (no date) https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/step-inside-this-

light-fill_ed-getaway-by-ad100-designer-india-mahdavi.

Image 2: Carlson, C. (2022) Tree of life , https://www.dezeen.com/2022/09/06/india-mahdavi-

frankly-yours-exhibition-svenskt-tenn/.

Image 3: Carlson, C. (2022) Tree of life cushion details ,

https://www.dezeen.com/2022/09/06/india-mahdavi-frankly-yours-exhibition-svenskt-
tenn/.

Image 4: Carlson, C. (2022) Tree of life wall print , https://www.dezeen.com/2022/09/06/india-

mahdavi-frankly-yours-exhibition-svenskt-tenn/.

Image 5: Mahdavi, I. (2016) REDValentino interior ,

https://www.architonic.com/en/project/india-mahdavi-redvalentino/5103621.

Image 6: Mahdavi, I. (2016) REDValentino glass detailing ,

https://www.architonic.com/en/project/india-mahdavi-redvalentino/5103621.

Image 7: Mahdavi, I. (2016) : REDValentino flooring ,

https://www.architonic.com/en/project/india-mahdavi-redvalentino/5103621.