Sense & Sensibility

An insight into everything that drives the design practices of architect Ambrish Arora and fashion designers Abraham and Thakore

- Natasha Khurana

IF YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH DELHI’S DINING SCENE, chances are you’ve seen the handiwork of Ambrish Arora, design principal at the multi-disciplinary Studio Lotus. There’s Café Lota at the Crafts Museum; Ogaan’s Coast Café; Marut Sikka’s Magique (now defunct), Kainoosh, and Keya; and Ritu Dalmia’s Diva chain. He’s made inroads into the design scene outside the capital, too, with the beautifully earthy RAAS hotel in Jodhpur, and the monochromatic Baradari, the bar and restaurant at City Palace, Jaipur. If you walk down the Indian fashion designers’ floor at DLF Emporio, you will come across Arora’s work there too, at the stores of Rohit Bal, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Gaurav Gupta, Namrata Joshipura, and Manav Gangwani. That his work appeals to designers across the spectrum bears testimony to the fact that he can capture their respective philosophies accurately.

Meanwhile, David Abraham and RakeshThakore’s place in Indian fashion is hallowed. The two met as students of National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and have been friends since. They became business partners when, in 1992, their friend and mentor, Martand Singh, suggested they set up a label together. They are joined by a third, Kevin Nigli, who handles sales. Abraham & Thakore, their label, comprises womenswear, menswear, and home linen and accessories. “The belief is the same, the understanding is the same, and the thinking is the same. Whether it is black and white, or the feel of colour, it’s always a similar palette we enjoy,” says Thakore.