Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar: Revolutionizing Indian Design with KOY and KOYTOY
Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar stands as a trailblazer in the world of contemporary Indian furniture and lifestyle design. His journey is an inspiring tale of artistic innovation, cultural homage, and visionary craftsmanship. The founder and creative director of KOY, a contemporary Indian designer furniture label, and KOYTOY, a lifestyle and fashion brand, Kunaal Kyhaan’s design philosophy is a unique synthesis of modern aesthetics with deep-rooted cultural heritage. With each creation, he blends India’s rich legacy of artisanal craftsmanship with a contemporary global outlook.
The Genesis of KOY: A Cultural Celebration
In 2017, Kunaal Kyhaan launched KOY, a luxury Indian furniture brand dedicated to celebrating the deep and diverse cultural heritage of India. Having studied architectural design at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York, Kunaal’s approach to design was always global, yet deeply personal and connected to his Indian roots. KOY represents the harmonious blend of these elements—a brand that fuses traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern Indian furniture design to create pieces that are timeless, functional, and exquisite.
KOY by Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar is more than just a furniture label. It stands as a testament to Kunaal’s commitment to materiality and cultural integrity. Every piece is handcrafted, utilizing traditional techniques and materials sourced from different regions across India, such as marble, wood, metal, and textiles. These materials, combined with innovative designs, create sculptural Indian furniture that is both contemporary and evocative of India’s rich history.
At KOY, every collection offers handcrafted furniture, decorative lighting, art objects, and textiles that seamlessly merge modern Indian furniture design with the sensibilities of traditional Indian craftsmanship. Kunaal’s love for materiality shines through in each item—whether it’s marble contemporary designer furniture, sculptural marble furniture, or minimalist Indian furniture. KOY’s collections have garnered international acclaim for their sculptural forms, luxurious finishes, and intricate detailing.
KOY’s Mission: Craftsmanship Meets Sustainability
One of KOY’s standout qualities is its mission to provide employment and empower local artisans across India. Every piece of handcrafted Indian furniture produced by KOY is not only a piece of art but also a means of sustaining traditional craftsmanship in local communities. This commitment to artisanal production ensures that the heritage of India’s craft remains alive in an increasingly industrialized world.
Sustainability has been at the heart of KOY’s ethos since its inception. The brand utilizes sustainable materials and processes, from sourcing natural materials like exotic Indian stones and wood to implementing eco-friendly production techniques. With a focus on longevity, KOY creates luxury Indian furniture that not only stands the test of time in terms of quality but also lessens the environmental impact. This aligns with a growing global movement towards sustainable furniture India and demonstrates KOY’s forward-thinking approach to modern Indian home decor.
The Sculptural Beauty of KOY Furniture
Kunaal Kyhaan’s design language is bold, innovative, and playful. His creations often blur the line between art and furniture, giving rise to pieces that are more than functional—they are sculptural art objects. KOY’s furniture, which includes designer dining tables India, sculptural dining tables India, and luxury home furniture India, is a reflection of Kunaal’s artistic vision and his passion for pushing boundaries in Indian furniture craftsmanship.
One of KOY’s most iconic materials is marble, which Kunaal uses in ways that are both innovative and respectful of tradition. Marble furniture crafted from exotic Indian stones features prominently in KOY’s collections, and his use of marble is sculptural and artistic. Whether it’s in the form of marble dining tables India or smaller accent pieces, Kunaal’s mastery of materiality makes every item a unique work of art.
The KOY Furniture Collection is a celebration of bold design. Each piece is a collectible, handcrafted to perfection, blending iridescent metals, molded fiberglass, natural wood, and intricate handwoven textiles. It’s no surprise that KOY has earned Kunaal accolades such as Elle Decor India’s EDIDA “Designer of the Year” in 2019 and the EDIDA “Young Talent Award” in 2017.
KOYTOY: Where Fashion Meets Art
In 2021, Kunaal Kyhaan expanded his design repertoire by launching KOYTOY, a lifestyle and fashion brand. While KOY focuses on the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary Indian furniture, KOYTOY explores fashion and visual storytelling through a similar lens of cultural celebration and modernity. KOYTOY’s debut collection was designed for individuals who defy traditional expectations of color, gender, and sexuality—a bold statement in a still-conservative society.
KOYTOY’s Maharaja by the Bay collection, presented at the INIFD’s GenNext Designer Program at Lakmé Fashion Week in 2023, was a stunning tribute to the bygone era of Indian royalty. The collection evoked “Desi-Nostalgia,” drawing inspiration from historic murals, miniature paintings, and the lavish lifestyles of Indian monarchs. The garments were adorned with prints of freshwater pearls, royal insignias, and jewelry boxes—an ode to the extravagant life of a Maharaja in a contemporary context.
Kunaal’s ability to blend art, history, and modernity is evident in the KOYTOY collections, which boast not only luxury and craftsmanship but also a deep sense of individuality and expression. Like KOY’s furniture, KOYTOY’s fashion pieces are a testament to Kunaal’s commitment to pushing boundaries while maintaining a deep connection to his cultural roots.
International Acclaim and Collaborative Projects
Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar’s work has not only garnered attention in India but has also made a significant impact internationally. His furniture and fashion collections have been showcased at major international design shows, including Maison et Objet in Paris, Ambiente Frankfurt, and Milan Design Week. These events have brought his luxury Indian furniture to the attention of a global audience, further cementing his reputation as one of the leading Indian furniture designers of his generation.
Kunaal’s collaborations with renowned brands and artisans have also helped him refine his craft and push the envelope of design. His partnership with Jaipur Rugs, which won him the EDIDA Award in 2024, is a prime example of his commitment to integrating traditional techniques with modern design sensibilities. The rug collection was celebrated for its bold use of color, intricate patterns, and innovative design, proving once again that Kunaal is a master of both form and function.
The Future of Indian Furniture and Design
As the world embraces more sustainable and culturally grounded designs, the future of contemporary Indian furniture is bright, with designers like Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar at the forefront. His unique approach to blending India’s rich craft traditions with cutting-edge design makes KOY and KOYTOY two of the most exciting brands in the Indian and global design landscape.
The growing demand for bespoke furniture India and artisanal luxury furniture India reflects a broader movement towards handmade, high-quality pieces that tell a story. Kunaal’s work fits squarely within this trend, offering custom Indian furniture design that is as unique as the people who purchase it. With every collection, Kunaal reinforces his position as a pioneer of Indian contemporary design and a champion of sustainability, craftsmanship, and artistic expression.
Conclusion: The Visionary Impact of Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar
Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar’s journey from architecture student at Parsons to celebrated designer of luxury Indian furnitureand fashion is a testament to his extraordinary vision, creativity, and passion for his craft. Through KOY and KOYTOY, Kunaal has created a legacy that transcends furniture and fashion, offering a new perspective on what it means to celebrate Indian heritage in a modern world.
By preserving traditional crafts, empowering local artisans, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability, Kunaal has established himself as a leading force in Indian furniture innovation. His work has redefined Indian furniture trends, marrying the old with the new and creating a design language that is distinctly Indian yet universally appealing.
As KOY and KOYTOY continue to evolve, Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of modern Indian luxury decor, shaping the future of contemporary furniture brands in India and inspiring the next generation of designers to honor their roots while embracing the possibilities of the future.
