Deepika Padukone’s ivory wedding reception sari; Priyanka Chopra’s kaleidoscopic mehendi outfit – a skirt-cum-lehenga hybrid; Sonam Kapoor’s fabled off-white panelled lehenga and backless blouse, inundated with every type of embroidery under the sun that took artisans 18 months to make. If these don’t ring a bell, then Kareena Kapoor’s on-screen wedding ensemble in Veere Di Wedding will. Featuring an off-shoulder blouse and pearl fringes instead of sleeves, the 25-year-old archival piece made headlines when it was rejigged for the movie. All these bridal outfits that have achieved cult status in pop culture history have one thing in common – all of them bear the fingerprints of the designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla whose Midas touch has made them iconic.
In the 36 years since opening their first boutique Mata Hari in Mumbai in November 1986 and designing their first collection of the same name, the two have designed outfits that have inspired a barrage of designers that have come after them. They have also heralded trends, started multiple brands – Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, ASAL by Abu Sandeep, MARD by Abu Sandeep, and Gulabo by Abu Sandeep, been quintessential in establishing the sartorial identity of several celebrities, and even designed weddings. As if creating couture were not enough, they started a new production company La Filmi Compania, where they showcase it via fashion films. To better understand the wondrous minds of these multi-hyphenates, we speak with the master couturiers to chronicle the highlights of their 35-plus-year career.
For the uninitiated: How did the label come to be? What prompted you to aspire to a career in fashion, especially since neither of you is from a design school?
Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av Femina.
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Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av Femina.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FIRST CRUSH ALERT!
The tween years are a time of emotional growth and exploration. Kayal Arivalan seeks expert advice to help you guide your child to navigate the complexities of early relationships
FLEETING MOMENTS OF LOVE
Ravina M Sachdev decodes 'nanoships', the latest relationship trend that is doing the rounds
IT'S CHOCOLATE!
Need we say more? These recipes from Chocolate: 100 Irresistible Recipes by SHIVESH BHATIA are perfect for this month of love
OBJECTS OF OUR AFFECTION
A pair of payals. A tattered book.*A plushie brooch. _ Nupur Sarvaiya gets 12 creatives and celebrities to chronicle a personal treasure that.is priceless to them
CUSHION IT RIGHT
Transform your home into a haven with cushions they can be the real game-changers when it comes to jazzing up a room.
Brand New BOMBSHELL
The vivacious RASHA THADANI takes life as it comes. The young debutante managed to juggle her studies with work when she was shooting for her debut film Azaad. She tells Shraddha Kamdar how she managed, and what she believes life holds for her
ZEN YOUR SCROLLS
Turn mindless swipes into mindful moves with these simple scrolling hacks.
YOUR GATEWAY TO RELAXATION
Unwind at the new ANGSANA OASIS SPA & RESORT in Bengaluru
Living Dream
Modern, street-smart, and a voice for young girls navigating challenges, Gen-Z go-getter PRAGATI NAGPAL talks to Kalwyna Rathod about spreading positivity and embracing individuality
The Green Thread
At the start of 2025, it only feels right to try and take a step in the direction of an issue that needs immediate addressing - fashion's problem with unsustainable business practices and their impact not only on the environment, but also on the people making the products. All's not grim, however. Even within this space, some brands have cut through the greenwashing noise and stand out for complete transparency in their businesses. We speak to the founders of four such fashion brands who have prioritised a slow approach to making clothes and have an overall ethical outlook. They care for environmental and social impact as much as - if not more than their profit margins, finds Ashwini Arun Kumar
