What can you do with a sheet of metal? You can shape it, hammer it, give it texture, or turn it into something that tells a story.
What can you do with a sheet of metal? You can shape it, hammer it, give it texture, or turn it into something that tells a story.
For students of the Global Luxury Goods & Services Management (MGLuxM) program, a session with the renowned artist and designer Vikram Goyal, offered a closer look at what happens when traditional Indian craftsmanship meets contemporary design. It also raised a bigger question: what makes a luxury object more than just a beautifully made product?
On 13th May 2026, students met Vikram Goyal, at The Quorum Mumbai to explore the craft, stories and ideas behind his work. His approach offered a different way of looking at concepts they encounter in the classroom.
It started with the material itself. Vikram introduced students to Repoussé, a traditional technique used to create intricate forms in metal. His studio also works with more than 250 artisans, giving students a glimpse into the skill and expertise that sit behind a finished luxury piece.
But craftsmanship is only one part of the story. He also shared how the Panchatantra has influenced his recent work, with its animal characters reimagined as contemporary sculptures. For students, it was an example of how Indian heritage can be translated into a design language that speaks to today's luxury audience.
Together, these examples brought several aspects of luxury to life, craftsmanship, heritage, storytelling and experience. Instead of seeing them as separate ideas, students could see how they can come together in one object.
For the MGLuxM students, that was the value of hearing directly from a creative practitioner. Vikram’s work gave them a real-world lens through which to understand the ideas they study, and a closer look at what it takes to create luxury that people connect with, value and remember.
