Maithili Ahluwalia

Founder, Bungalow Eight

The former management consultant opened a ‘global yet local’ store with modern, eclectic takes on traditional Indian design.

Maithili Ahluwalia

Since launching chic lifestyle boutique Bungalow 8 next to her childhood home in Mumbai, Maithili Ahluwaila has successfully launched two in-house labels and has built a steady following of patrons, which has included the likes of Vivienne Westwood , Suzy Menkes and Madonna.

A graduate of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where she obtained a degree in economics and sociology in 2000, and the London School of Economics, Ahluwalia initially pursued a career in consulting. She secured a job in New York with Easton’s, a boutique marketing and business development firm.

After returning to India in 2003, Ahluwalia set up Bungalow 8 with the help of family and friends. Initially launched as an interiors store, a chance encounter in Paris with Mathieu Gugumus Leguillon, a former group designer at Lanvin and Saint Laurent, led to Ahluwalia overseeing the launch of her first in-house fashion line “Bungalow.” The first collection for was released in 2009 with a menswear range released in early 2011.

Now housed in a majestic colonial building located in the heart of Mumbai's cultural centre Colaba, Bungalow 8 provides a unique shopping experience set out over three floors filled with modern and contemporary Indian offerings in home furnishings, antiques and artisanal jewellery. In 2006, Bungalow 8 expanded into a 2500 sq. ft retail space at 1, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Ahluwalia announced that Bungalow 8 is closing down in April 2019, citing the challenges of balancing retail experience with the immediacy of social media.

Career History
Education
London School of Economics
Swarthmore College

VITAL STATISTICS

NATIONALITYIndian
LOCATIONIndia
MEMBER SINCE2013

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What is The BoF 500?

BoF-2023 Medallion

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.

Explore

What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.

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