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Abu-Sandeep: Pret is the way to go
After years of making some of the most exclusive, and expensive, couture pieces in the country, veteran designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are planning their first foray into ready-to-wear.
After years of making some of the most exclusive, and expensive, couture pieces in the country, veteran designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are planning their first foray into ready-to-wear.
"It is the way to expand," Khosla said. "We have to look at it, otherwise you remain in a cocoon and we don't want that."
That's why the duo showed off an elegant collection in white at their debut at the sixth Lakme India Fashion Week this year - a collection described as "brave" by Michael Fink of Saks Fifth Avenue.
Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are renowned for using heavy embellishment like chikankari (white-on-white embroidery) on their exquisite garments. Now they say they'll use the same ideas and skills, water them down, and create clothes that many more than their usual Bollywood A-list can afford.
"We want more people to experience the Abu-Sandeep sense of luxury," said Abu Jani, about their fashion week collection where all garments are priced at less than Rs.30,000.
Added Sandeep Khosla: "The idea is to spread far. We are at the moment looking for the right partners in order to make that move.
"You see, at the moment our infrastructure is geared towards couture. Pret means volumes and that needs a whole new infrastructure and that is not easy. But we are very excited about the new moves."
Even as they edge towards ready-to-wear, the duo is far from forsaking their magnificent custom made, especially with clients like Bollywood's first family, the Bachchans.
"I have only worn Abu-Sandeep for 15 years now," Jaya Bachchan said. "Now my children wear them. My daughter wore them at her wedding. They really make me feel gorgeous and there is a sense of history and culture in their work which I really appreciate," Bachchan added.
