“From a young age, almost as soon as I was born, I would often travel to India to spend time with my grandmother in Chembur, Mumbai. I have very vivid childhood memories of my experiences there – and, after she passed, it wasn’t until my 20s that I returned. When I did, it looked extremely different – but still felt extremely familiar. With Mumbai Noise, I wanted to express that idea: to present an exploration of the city today, anchored in my memories of its past.”
– Ben Gorham, Founder & Creative Director, Byredo.
With Mumbai Noise, Ben Gorham presents an intimate portrait of a city that acts as a cornerstone of his identity – both of its sensorial multitudes, and its multifaceted modernity. The mesmerizing abundance of Chembur’s streets – the smoky haze of incense and burning woods, interspersed with streetside coffee carts and cacophonous soundscapes – is explored through a contemporary lens, paying tribute both to the city’s cultural heritage and the evolution of its energy.
The notion of vivid multiplicities is reflected through a scent crowded with contrasts: of rich, warm woods and amber blended with brightness; of plummy Davana positioned alongside leather; bitter coffee stirred with sweet tonka beans.
