In a world inundated with mass-produced alternatives, bespoke luxury stands as a beacon of individuality and refinement, offering discerning connoisseurs a realm of unparalleled opulence and exclusivity. We delve into this enchanting world with insights from Anjali Mody, founder of Josmo Studio, who offers her unique perspectives on bespoke luxury. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, Anjali paints bespoke luxury as a delectable blend of familiar comfort and tantalising novelty – bespoke luxury is like cheese infused with the heady aroma of truffles. The cheese represents wholesomeness and familiarity, while the truffle adds a dash of uniqueness and glamour.
Luxury = Familiarity
“To me, luxury would be the flavour of cheese with high notes of truffle. It’s like a wholesome cheese, familiar and inviting, yet infused with hints of truffle, offering a touch of uniqueness, novelty, and deliciousness. Most luxury to me is like this, it’s familiar because it’s made especially for you, but it has strong undertones of dazzle and glamour.”
Crafting Bespoke Collections
“A friend from Zimbabwe and I designed a collection of ottomans inspired by bones and horns found in the African bushes. We worked with an aluminium foundry and a production studio, that helped us transform these bones into moulds, eventually into cast that were exact replicas of these natural pieces. Another memorable collaboration involved crafting a 20ft banyan tree installation for a legal office using fibre art. Each leaf was made from brushed brass, suspended from the ceiling between these long and winding branches. It was a real challenge to execute, but teamwork made it all possible.”
Embracing Imperfection
“Our approach is inclusive to imperfections and curiosity and learning through the process. Our designs sometimes change due to on-ground realities, allowing for serendipity to play a big part in our final outcomes. It’s that magical space between having a vision and allowing the process to guide us that we find true inspiration.”
Innovation Through Experimentation
“We keep trying new things, exploring new materials, new ways of making objects, and we are always designing. The ideas never stop flowing.”
Giving Life to An Idea
“One finds a piece of themselves and their design virtues within personalised pieces. A big part of customising something is about giving it time, attention, and the ideas a voice. There is something very beautiful about a client having an idea and having that ability to give life to their idea for them.”
Commitment to Quality
“Quality for us is the cornerstone of our existence. We will never compromise that, no matter what the cost. Premium materials allow for ideas to shine, giving them finesse and beauty. A beautiful idea can be almost immediately elevated if approached with the right materiality, and on the contrary, it might fail terribly if not given the right approach to quality.”