Caught up in the amber swirl | Shivan & Narresh x Delicious Design Project by Glenmorangie

At the second edition of Delicious Design Project by Glenmorangie, designers Shivan & Narresh’s hat-tip to scotch whisky in the form of bespoke couches

Peripatetic designers Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja — who first made a name with their swimwear over a decade-and-a-half ago, before adding couture, prêt, loungewear, and pretty much everything you can wear somewhere, to their repertoire — show the same joie de vivre when it comes to designing for the home. Their wallpapers tell stories of their travels, from Seychelles to South Korea and Japan; their table linen is inspired by things as varied as Renaissance paintings and cityscapes. While furniture might not be on their website (yet), their collaboration with Bent Chair a few years ago saw them crafting statement neo-tribal pieces.

Now, for the second edition of Delicious Design Project by Glenmorangie, an annual art and music experience, the designers have created a duo of opulent couches, to amp up luxury living rooms. “The infusion of art into holiday moments [that underlines] our brand, complements Glenmorangie’s vibrant universe and unique focus on wonder,” says Kukreja, co-founder and creative director, Shivan & Narresh. “Special projects like these involve immersing ourselves in the artistry of different universes, learning from them, and crafting something truly memorable.

Edited excerpts from an interview with the designers.

We got into the project without any idea of what we would be designing. It followed an organic inspiration process, something that we usually follow for our fashion medium — which is to go on holidays! We went to Scotland to experience the maison, the beautiful countryside, and to see the process of whisky making. To see the commonalities in the process of creation was gratifying. Couches came up in our discussions much later, once we began dissecting what it feels like to sip a Glenmorangie in tandem with what it feels like to be at home with Shivan & Narresh. For Glenmorangie, the living room is the centre stage, where you open your most expensive scotches with your family and friends, and for us, home has been a huge category since COVID, because the amount of time we spent indoors opened our universe of bringing holidays into our home.

We are all about celebrating every moment, big or small. Extending this philosophy to our creations, we have curated Swirlscape, masterpieces that will invite people to gather around for a memorable evening. Each whimsical piece pushes the boundaries of form, shape, and craftsmanship — as an ode to the imagination and skill of Glenmorangie’s whisky makers.

The ‘Oak Swirl’ pays homage to the pioneering artistry of the maturation process in oakwood barrels. Infused with earthy tones and rich textures, this couch invites connoisseurs to immerse themselves in the warmth and depth reminiscent of each sip. The futuristic ‘Infinity Swirl’, on the other hand, commemorates the ritual of swirling whisky in a glass. Its dynamic form and fluid lines, encased within a metallic frame, visually represent the whirlpool effect.

We focused heavily on experimenting with form and unique materials. As fashion designers delving into couch design, we faced the challenge of translating our distinct language into furniture. This fresh perspective led to unique creations. The design process was both a creative and technical journey, involving challenges like perfecting the wooden grain for an oak couch and achieving fluidity in leather for another. This venture demanded a blend of pattern-making skills, construction knowledge, and a new product language.