As the curtain rises on the Hermès boutique at Jio World Plaza in Mumbai, we enter a magical universe of India’s miniature artistry, now presented in a new, detailed three-dimensional reality. by miniature artist Sukanya Ayde the prince, the parrot and the horse Depicts an endearing story of friendship, playfully executed with artistic precision. The first window takes you to a lush, deep forest with the three heroes, and the second window, to a grand palace. The prince, a symbol of royalty and lineage, watches his horse drink water from a decorative tray. The stallion, a worthy companion, nods to Hermès’s equestrian roots, a heritage that began with harness making in 1837. A Parrot Sitting on a Crescent Moon is the muse of a storyteller and artist.
Sukanya Ayde
“It becomes a platform where these characters reflect the Hermès spirit: craft and culture are brought to life through a dialogue between tradition and modernity, object and narrative, art and storytelling,” says Ayde, who began working on Hermès’s 2025 theme, ‘Drawn to Craft’, in January and finds the maison’s iconic symbolism – horse, carriage, lock, harness – at ease with its visual language. Merged with.
As Hermès’ global presence expanded around the world, its collaborations with local artists flourished.
background story
Hermès’s eccentric window displays began by chance in the 1930s. A young sales assistant, Anne Beaumel, arrived to take the place of the gracious window manager who had called in sick. he put a piece joie de vivre Hanging saddles upside down in windows ushered in an era of unrestrained imagination. Bümel created ethereal windows, including special windows with artists such as Jean Cocteau, Christian Bérard and Tsuguharu Foujita, and sometimes provocative displays, including real horse droppings for sparrows to feast on. As Hermès’ global presence expanded around the world, its collaborations with local artists flourished. With India emerging as a hub of global luxury, over the past few years, the maison has commissioned female artists Sumakshi Singh, Aradhana Seth, sister duo Aashika and Tanisha Cunha, Yashika Sugandh and now Ayde to create notable window displays for its boutiques in India.
Hermès’s eccentric window displays began by chance in the 1930s.
art from the archive
A graduate in history from St. Stephen’s College, Ayade has a degree in fashion and textile design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Deeply inspired by nature, his work is influenced by traditional Indian art, especially Rajasthani miniature art of the Kota and Bundi regions. -With their lush forests, pitch black skies and dramatic hunting scenes. “Miniature art gives me the space to not only replicate the rawness of nature, but also re-imagine it from my own perspective. It creates a synergy between my observation and imagination. I enjoy the metaphorical themes that come with painting nature, like the calmness of a lotus pond or the turbulence in a stormy sky…the longing in a monsoon cloud,” she says.
The Parrot Sitting on the Crescent Moon is the muse of a storyteller and artist.
Bringing the artwork to life required several iterations, Ayde says, and arriving at something that felt true to her work and aligned with Hermès. “This shift from 2D to 3D was a different journey for me, one that challenged the way I think about scale, perspective, and movement. I wanted to bring out the elements that are central to the miniature genre – landscape, depth, complexity, and transform them into a three-dimensional form,” she says.
“Miniature art gives me the space to not only replicate the rawness of nature, but also to re-imagine it from my own perspective. It creates a synergy between my observation and imagination. I enjoy the metaphorical themes that come with painting nature, like the stillness of a lotus pond or the turbulence in a stormy sky…the longing in a monsoon cloud.”Sukanya Aydeminiature artist
Most structures are made from MDF boards coated in white, and then painted with acrylic paint. Ayde worked with a team of master miniaturists from Jaipur. She says, “All three artists have been practicing this form of art for decades. They brought a certain authenticity to the project.” ,
When someone stops in front of these windows, what feelings does Ayade hope they take with them? “I hope to take them on a journey of discovery where they see the intricate details unfolding amidst lush foliage, flowering plants and tranquil water features,” she says. Perhaps it will take them to a place of reflection, beauty and peace amidst the chaos of everyday life.
Most structures are made from MDF boards coated in white, and then painted with acrylic paint.
The Prince, The Parrot and The Horse will be on display at the Hermès Geo World Plaza store until January 15, 2026.
The author is a sustainability consultant and founder of BeesLiving, a lifestyle platform dedicated to slow living.
published – October 24, 2025 06:32 pm IST