10 Questions with Designers Sachin & Babi
Designers Babi & Sachin Ahluwalia
We are so excited to see the debut of your new bridal concept “RTC” Ready To Celebrate during the collections. The concept of having on demand gowns and dresses for everyone in the Bridal Party from the Bride to her Guests is a maverick idea.
We wanted you to share with our readers some insight about your highly successful ready to wear collections and your design process.
1. When and where did you meet?
We met fall of 1994 while we were freshmen at our design programs at FIT. We got married in 1996.
2. Tell us about the background of starting your business.
Our first business was more of a design service business that was we started with a novel idea of developing embroideries and surface texture details at our ateliers in Mumbai. ( that Sachin inherited from his family business ) We would then present them to Senior designers here in NYC and collaborate with them in customizing the details for their line. We struck gold when we met Oscar de la Renta in the first 6 months of our venture, and then became his source for all things refined in embroidery.
3. What design houses did you work for?
We were fortunate to work with and learn from the best, such as Giorgio Armani, House of Valentino, Bill Blass, Manolo Blahnik, Escada, and Vera Wang to name a few.
4. How has Sachin & Babi evolved as a fashion brand?
As we studied design and we engineered embroidery and details, we always worked hand-in-hand with the design teams in creating customizations. As we grew up in this trade, I/we, couldn't afford any of these exquisite designs. We then evolved our point of view and started a fashion brand in response to this desire to be able to participate in this level of fashion, we knew we weren't alone.
5. Who does what?
Sachin runs the design studio and the company, and I work with the design team on the "why" behind each collection and look into the sales & marketing side as well.
6. What would you say Sachin & Babi are best known for?
Sachin & Babi designs for and resonates with a customer who loves to celebrate the joyful, beautiful, special moments this life can bring. While we appreciate and do design simple, elegant pieces, we are recognized for what we call our optimistically sophisticated style. Our love of color, texture, embroidery, and silhouettes that flatter the female form is what we focus on and what our customers come to us for. We want our clothes to be worn and loved, not preserved in a garment bag. We want to be at the party enjoying every moment, on the dance floor, not just looking pretty in the pictures.
7. The value is so good how is that?
As we are a vertically integrated firm we share the savings with our customers.
8. Tell us about your innovative ready to wear concept and how this applies to bridal?
As today's bride's mindset & lifestyle have changed, and the majority either aren't interested in custom or don't have access to it, we wanted to be a resource for this modern customer. We also understand that many women have a vision for the experience they want to have, the dream dress or dresses they want to wear, and that isn't necessarily always aligned with every budget. We believe we can attract this sophisticated bride who isn't willing to sacrifice style or quality because she understands today, she doesn't have to.
9. Where will the collection be available?
Our initial presence will be in key retailers such as Saks.
10. What do find most rewarding about the process of your business?
Hmmm...it's certainly when the process of design starts and the toil of it, but then when someone makes the choice to spend their honest, well-earned dollars with us and buys our threads for their special occasion it gives us such JOY! When the dresses come to life, they become more meaningful to us as creatives.
