Restaurants, exhibitions and inspiring places discovered in India

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Sumaiya is the designer and founder of Sumaiya Merchant, a brand shaped by her experiences between Mumbai, Tunis and Paris.

Mumbai through Sumaiya’s eyes

1. What does Mumbai bring to your life?

Living in Mumbai truly prepares you for any major city in the world. Adapting to Paris was never a challenge, but I still miss Mumbai for its unique contrasts — that extraordinary ability to move in an instant from utter simplicity to dazzling grandeur.

2. A place

I love Mumbai’s textile and embroidery markets. They have a unique charm and are an endless source of inspiration.

3. A restaurant

My latest favourite among Mumbai’s countless restaurants is Nara, a beautiful Thai restaurant.

4. A souvenir to bring home

Good Earth is undoubtedly my favourite store in Mumbai. Every visit feels like an experience in itself, a journey for the senses.

I always find myself drawn to handcrafted textiles — whether for curtains, cushions or small decorative accents.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Sumaiya later lived in Tunisia and now resides in Paris. For the past thirteen years, through her eponymous womenswear label, Sumaiya Merchant, she has drawn inspiration from both Indian and Tunisian cultures, collaborating with artisans whose ancestral craftsmanship reflects her commitment to conscious and sustainable fashion.

I met Sumaiya at a pop-up event we both participated in earlier this year. I was immediately drawn to her blend of cultural influences, perhaps because I find both Mumbai and Tunis endlessly inspiring. I particularly fell in love with her embroidered Tunisian babouches, which perfectly embody this dialogue between worlds.

They combine the comfort and effortless elegance of the traditional babouche with the refinement of Indian embroidery. The velvet is hand-embroidered in India before being assembled into babouches in Tunis — a beautiful example of craftsmanship travelling across borders.