Abu-Sandeep confess their love for the colour white as well as for each other

Couturiers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla advise budding designers to follow their heart and to never give up

About Abu Jani (AJ)

Date of birth: April 4
Place of birth: Mumbai
Sun sign: Aries
Home town: Mumbai
School/College: Different schools in Mumbai
First break: Working as a design assistant at Xerxes Bhathena
High point of your life: When I was approached to do the costumes for Evita by Alyque Padamsee
Low point of your life: Being rejected by Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai

About Sandeep Khosla (SK)

Date of birth: May 10
Place of birth: Amritsar
Sun sign: Taurus
Home town: Kapurthala
School/College: The Doon School, Dehradun
First break: Working with an export house Anne Campbell from London
High point of your life: Moving to Mumbai on an instinct
Low point of your life: Strangely, thanks to my mother, there was never any moment viewed as a low point. It was learning.

If not a designer, youʼd have been...?

AJ: A painter.

SK: I would have been in the world of movies.

What is the one thing about Indian fashion that bugs you the most?

AJ: Mediocrity being passed off as genius.

SK: A lack of originality.

A Hollywood star youʼd like to style...?

AJ: Elizabeth Taylor and Nicole Kidman.

A designer whose creations you love to wear...?

AJ: An array of designers from Alexander McQueen to Comme des Garçons.

SK: Polo Ralph Lauren.

When you are not working, you are...?

AJ: Dreaming about work.

SK: It’s all play when you love your work.

One thing thatʼs common to your creations...?

AJ: Timelessness. What we create must always remain relevant.

SK: Impeccable quality. There is no compromising on finesse.

If you were stranded on an island youʼd be seen wearing...?

AJ: Boxers and a T-shirt.

SK: A lungi and vest.

At a party, you would be seen nibbling on...?

AJ: Foie gras and caviar.

Your favourite music on the ramp is...?

AJ: Geeta Dutt’s songs.

SK: I love remixes. So it could be anything from 1960s to the current pop genre.

If there was an earthquake, what is that one thing that youʼd save and why?

AJ: Sandeep SK: Abu

A high street brand that one can spot in your wardrobe is...?

AJ: COS  SK: Brooks Brothers

Your advice to budding designers...?

AJ: Follow your heart. You are here to set trends not follow them.

SK: Never give in or give up. Believe in yourself and your expression.

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From HT Brunch, August 6, 2017

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