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EXCLUSIVE: Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla on their iconic colour palette & how they have managed to stay relevant
In an exclusive chat with Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, we asked them about their iconic colour palette to how they have managed to stay relevant after all these years in the industry.
Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla famous from their namesake brand just showcased their first-ever collection for their brand, Asal and boy did it steal hearts! It was a riot of colours with elaborate silhouettes clad in the most intricate details making for a spectacular display on the runway. We saw an array of trendy elements in a gorgeous amalgamation with the iconic AJSK embroideries and details. Each ensemble was different than the other with designs and patterns synonymous to the traditions but with a touch of modernity. From collared cholis with lapels paired with stunning lehenga skirts to bohemian fringe elements on the dupattas, it was clearly difficult for us to pick a favourite one.
While the show was clearly a spectacular one, we managed to sneak in and ask them a few questions on how they have managed to stay relevant all these years and on their iconic colour palette which is now synonymous to their names.
This year clearly marks as a milestone year for you both, so with more than 30 years in the industry, how do you feel?
SANDEEP- We’re feeling fabulous! We’re feeling young! It has been 33 years of Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla,
To which ABU quickly prompted - Not just looking at that, but we are definitely feeling very young, inventive and creative.
So, in all these years how do you think the industry has evolved?
SANDEEP - It has evolved completely. When we started, we were one of the few. We could literally count them all on our fingertips and there was no fashion journalism. I think there were just two people who used to write about fashion and today there are hundreds and thousands of designers & thousands of journalists. Some of us are incredible, some of us are just credible and some of us are not even credible. ( - to which they both broke into a burst of hearty laughter!)
So, how do you think have you managed to stay relevant through it all?
ABU - I think if one has to be creative one has to regenerate themselves constantly, put your thinking cap on and you have to be different.
To which SANDEEP added - You have to surround ourself with young people. (laughs and points at himself) When you grow old, you have to feel good about yourself all the time so that I’m not always complaining about my knee pain, this pain and that pain!
We all know that you have created the iconic colour palette that is white and gold, so, what are your thoughts about it and how have you managed to make it iconic?
SANDEEP - How have we managed to become iconic? That is people who have made us iconic. It is the people who believe in us whether it is Jaya Bachchan or it is Dimple Kapadia or our clients - they made us iconic.
When it comes down to your designs and patterns, do you really think that trends affect it?
SANDEEP (beaming with pride) - We set the trends! (laughs)
ABU - We have never followed what trends come or collections like Spring/Summer or Autumn/Winter, all that we don’t follow, we do not need to follow the 3 collection pattern.
SANDEEP added - We follow our own instincts and we are not that much into the fashion week circuit or any of those. Our shows are stand-alone usually and they just spring up from nowhere.
Moving on to bridal wear, what advice would you like to give an iconic Abu-Sandeep bride to choose her trousseau and jewellery?
ABU- Today’s children especially the girls are are very insecure and pressurised so I say, you just enjoy, make up your mind and have fun because it is a happy event.
SANDEEP - Dress up! I think you need to dress up, you know what I mean? Do it only because your parents want you to dress up. Sometimes you are like, ‘I don’t want to dress up’. But the point is, it is just not your wedding, it is about inclusivity, getting your family involved, it is your father’s proudest moment, it is your mother’s proudest moment, so it is all about the family. See in India we are talking about the ‘Big fat Indian Wedding’ so let us just keep it there. And, the jewellery is definitely important and the only thing we are not for is ‘The can that can’t’.
Current wedding trend you would wish disappeared?
SANDEEP - The can-can that is why I said, ‘The can that can’t’. (laughs)
In the Bollywood industry, who is your favourite celebrity to dress?
Both unanimously- All!
Today, it is not just about the bride but also the bridesmaid so, what is that one advice you’d like to give the bridal party not to overpower the bride?
SANDEEP - You should never be in competition with the bride.
ABU - Sometimes girls cannot be subtle, we understand it is your day.
SANDEEP - But, the important person here is the bride. If the bride gets underdressed, so then the bridesmaids look even bigger than the bride so the bridesmaids have to dress according to what the bride is wearing and never compete with her colour.
Lastly, tell us something about the collection and how is it different from all your previous ones?
ABU - This is the first time we have done a fashion show for Asal so it is very exciting. It is really young, fun show with wonderful music, dancing and all that.
SANDEEP - It has got its own vibe but it’s a classic collection because Asal is more classic whereas AJSK is simply very couture in that sense where we can experiment with lots of silhouettes. Here, it is for everybody who can relate to it and but it for the beauty and love it.
Well, looks like we’ve got to know a lot about the designers and their journey through the years. What are your thoughts about it? Let us know in the comments section below.
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