“I don’t limit my design philosophy to fleeting design trends, instead create interiors and exteriors with a ‘Timeless’ quality.”

Payal Kapoor
(Director, VISIONS)

Payal Kapoor, a visionary designer with more than three decades of experience in the interior design industry, etched her name in history when she won the turnkey project for the conversion of the Palace on Wheels from meter gauge to broad gauge in 1995. She emerged victorious in an all-India design competition organised by the Rajasthan Tourism Corporation, where her technical prowess and design ingenuity stood out among 200 design professionals.

Meticulously detailed and crafted salons depicting the culture, art and heritage of erstwhile princely states, not only earned her immense recognition but also secured the train’s position as the world’s number one among the top ten trains globally. Before Payal’s work, India had previously held the 10th position. She refurbished the train five times till it was phased out with time after 25 years of its glorious journey on the railway tracks.

Payal is a self-made professional who achieved success without any godfather, influential figure or mentor to guide her. Her journey has been challenging, and filled with ups and downs, but she approaches it with resilience. She laughs it off by saying, “No self-made successful person has an easy past. It only makes you stronger, more resilient and fearless.” She consistently breaks through the glass ceiling, establishing ambitious standards for herself.

Payal views herself as her only competition and strives to surpass her own achievements with each project. She refuses to confine her design style or blindly follow trends. She states, “Challenges are an inherent part of the journey and I believe gender has nothing to do with it. The core idea is to become the best version of oneself and learn and evolve from every challenge faced along the way.”

Payal’s Entry Into The World of Interior Design

After completing graduation and a master’s degree in interior architecture, Payal’s journey in interior design began at Manasara, a firm where she honed her conceptual and technical design skills. Afterwards, she worked for another firm where she mastered the art of production and worked with state-of-the-art German machines, mastering the art of crafting furniture with precision. She actively worked at sites and handled projects which allowed her to execute turnkey projects.

This phase also helped her pick up the skill of working at the grassroots level with labour. With a diverse skill set and a wealth of practical knowledge, she pivoted her path to entrepreneurship and laid the foundation of VISIONS in 1991. Since its inception, there has been no looking back.

Among a plethora of projects, some of her renowned and popular projects include Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, Heritage Inn (Hotel) in Jaisalmer, The Imperial New Delhi, GD Goenka Public School, Hari Niwas Palace in Jammu, PVR Mega Mall in Gurugram, WelcomHeritage Bal Samand Lake Palace in Jodhpur, Welcomhotel Savoy in Mussoorie, GD Goenka International School, Interior Designing of Sambhar Express, Ruby Tuesday PVR Saket in Delhi, The United Service Institution of India for President of India in New Delhi, and many more.

The Family Support That Makes It Possible For Her

Family is the silent backbone that supports every entrepreneur’s journey and provides strength regardless of the prevailing circumstances. While showing gratitude to her family, she mentions, “My husband and daughters have been incredibly supportive throughout my journey. As they see me juggling and multitasking, they’ve learned to be independent. When I go on any work-related travel, my family takes charge of the house, despite all of them being busy with their own schedules. This is a huge support.”

Payal strongly believes in the power of good karma. She believes one needs to stay humble yet fearless and fierce when needed, all while avoiding any form of demeaning behaviour, especially towards their counterparts. She also believes that keeping a clear conscience is the key. Payal looks up to Mr. Ratan Tata, who, despite being successful, stays humble and gives back to society. Payal finds inspiration in people who not only achieve big things but also make a positive impact on the community.