Cotton Cottage

Cotton Cottage, a 14-year-old brand with over 21 outlets across India, has established itself as a leader in the handcrafted clothing sector. Over the years, the brand has cultivated a distinctive approach to branding, carving a niche within the Indian retail landscape. The design of its newest store in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, stands as a testament to the brand’s innovative vision in both design and visual merchandising.

The design process for Cotton Cottage's new store was deeply rooted in research and insights from relevant projects. The transition from a standalone retail store to a presence in a high-end mall with other leading brands prompted the development of a unique design language that would set Cotton Cottage apart. A key element of the approach was to tell the story of the artisans behind the handcrafted garments. With Cotton Cottage working with block printers and weavers from across India, it became essential to weave these artisan narratives into the retail experience. This was achieved through graphic storytelling, utilizing content created as part of the brand's development process.

One of the greatest challenges was balancing the traditional Indian clothing heritage of Cotton Cottage with the contemporary retail environment. This required the creation of a distinctive Indian contemporary design format that could define the in-store experience for years to come.

The storefront features three arches, which divide the façade into symmetrical viewing windows. Inspired by Indian arched elements found in Rajasthan's temples and forts, these arches were reinterpreted in a minimalist, contemporary style. This simple yet powerful design element is versatile, making it suitable for both mall-based and standalone street-front formats. The arches also play a central role in merchandise display, with their geometric forms enhancing the visual impact of wall-mounted mirrors and vertical display stands.

The design also incorporates handmade ropes suspended from the ceiling to display clothing, while an installation of cotton strings and discarded handprints connects directly to the story of traditional craftsmanship. Graphical representations of block printing and weaving, framed by the arched extensions of the display architecture and illuminated by track lighting, further narrate the origin of the garments.

The color scheme evolved throughout the design process. To complement the vibrant hues of Indian clothing, the team selected a dark wood laminate with earthy green and deep gray ceilings. Matte gold accents were added to trims and metal display shelves, adding a sophisticated touch to the overall design.

The Cotton Cottage store design exemplifies a minimalist approach that blends tradition with contemporary trends, setting the stage for the brand's future retail spaces.