How Jayesh Sachdev Transformed Akiki London’s Mascot Into a Playful Fusion of Art and Design

A multi-hyphenated creator—artist, sculptor, designer, and creative entrepreneur—Jayesh Sachdev has made a career out of pushing boundaries. For the national award-winning artist, ‘breaking the internet’ is almost second nature. With his bold pop-art aesthetic, thought-provoking projects, and uncanny ability to merge culture with creativity, Sachdev has carved a unique space in the worlds of art, fashion, and design.

Over the years, his work has often captured global attention. He once dressed Walt Disney’s most iconic characters—Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck—in Indian wedding attire using artificial intelligence (AI), sparking waves across the internet. In 2023, his AI balloon-sculpture Ganesha installation at Art Basel became another viral sensation. And in 2024, he made history as the first Indian artist to collaborate with Zara, unveiling the Zara x Jayesh art-fashion-sculpture project.

Now, Sachdev is back with yet another groundbreaking collaboration. This year, he joined hands with Akiki London to create KIKI—a hand-sculpted British Bulldog that doubles as the brand’s official mascot and muse. In Sachdev’s signature pop-surrealist style, KIKI is both playful and polished: wrapped in bold red-and-white camouflage, finished with chrome accents, and accessorised with oversized shades. “KIKI is a hand-sculpted British Bulldog, brought to life in my signature pop-surrealist style—playful and polished. Wrapped in bold red-and-white camo with chrome accents and oversized shades, he blends art with luxury. A mascot, yes. But also a piece of contemporary art,” Sachdev explains.

The Style List sat down with Jayesh Sachdev for a freewheeling conversation, diving into the story behind this one-of-a-kind collaboration.

What drew you to collaborate with Akiki and reimagine KIKI in your pop-art style?


KIKI already carried a bold personality, and I was instantly drawn to reinterpret him through my own

lens of whimsy and surreal pop. My style thrives on playfulness with a touch of elevation, and

reimagining KIKI felt like the perfect canvas to merge those sensibilities.

What is the inspiration and meaning behind the sculpture?


KIKI embodies the spirit of Akiki: loyalty, sophistication, and joy. By magnifying him into a sculpture, I

wanted to elevate him beyond mascot status into a cultural emblem, one that reflects the playful yet

luxurious essence of the brand while resonating with a global audience.

How did you translate KIKI’s personality into a three-dimensional sculpture?


For me, the translation began with form. I amplified his essence with exaggerated proportions, chrome-

like surfaces, and a buoyant, balloon-inspired form. These choices captured his cheeky charm while

aligning with Akiki London’s ethos. The result is a sculpture that is both playful and sophisticated,

embodying his larger-than-life spirit.



How was this collaboration with Akiki different from your international Zara project?


The Zara collaboration was expansive global storytelling across multiple mediums, including a series of

sculptures and an accompanying fashion and lifestyle collection showcased across India. It was a

broader canvas for an international audience. With Akiki, the focus was distilled into one singular,

statement-making sculpture i.e. intimate, deliberate, and deeply rooted in the brand’s identity.

What creative challenges or breakthroughs defined this piece for you?


The biggest challenge was scale, ensuring KIKI’s essence wasn’t lost as he was magnified. The

breakthrough came with embracing an “inflatable” aesthetic, which made him feel timeless yet true to

himself: a British Bulldog that is bold, sophisticated, and playfully charming all at once.

How does this sculpture reflect your broader artistic philosophy?


My work has always celebrated mythology, hybrids, anthropomorphic creatures, pop, and surrealism. I

see my art as storytelling through form. KIKI fits seamlessly into this universe; he is playful yet symbolic,

transforming from a mascot into a piece of cultural iconography. That fusion of narrative and visual

exuberance is at the core of my work.

Standing four feet tall and wrapped in high-gloss red-and-white camouflage with chrome accents and

oversized black shades, KIKI embodies Akiki’s spirited aesthetic - bold, cheeky, and unapologetically

expressive. Designed exclusively for the retail space, it is showcased at Akiki’s kiosk at Mumbai International Airport (T2).