Sachin + Babi, a Fashion Love Story

By Nandini D'Souza
November 7, 2010

Sachin + Babi

Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia's is a fashion love story. The two grew up in different, bustling Indian cities, both in fashion industry families, but didn’t meet until the third day of fashion design school at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia launched their company Sachin + Babi as a supplier of beautiful textiles from India to some of the fashion industry's leading designers, including Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, and Giorgio Armani. It was only a matter of time before they launched their own design collection. (Left: Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia)

Since the late nineties, the Ahluwalia’s have been selling their gorgeous Ankasa homewares—intricately embroidered decorative pillows, luxurious printed silk duvet covers and the softest throws—through their Upper East Side Manhattan boutique and at other fine retailers. In 2008, the married duo introduced their Sachin + Babi ready-to-wear collection to the fashion trendy crowd and have already scored such coveted credits as Demi Moore in the pages of the New York Times Style section. For Sachin and Babi Ahluwali, it's all a delicate balance between travel, fashion and home design, raising their two beautiful daughters and marriage. The Inside Source talked with Babi about the evolution of the Sachin + Babi brand and shopping eBay online for humidors and vintage sunglasses.

The Inside Source: Sachin grew up in Bombay, you in New Delhi, but you met at fashion design school in New York—what are the chances?

Sachin + Babi: I know. It was destiny really. Sachin says he knew after our first date that he would marry me.

The Inside Source: For years, you were known for the uber-luxe Ankasa home collection. What was the inspiration to launch ready-to-wear fashion?

Sachin + Babi: Our roots are in fashion and fashion will always be our foundation.

The Inside Source: Most fashion designers start with a ready-to-wear collection and then conquer home designs. You did it differently. What were some of the surprises of going from luxe duvet sets and decorative pillows to stylish blouses and trendy dresses?

Sachin + Babi: I think we've shown that true design transcends its medium. We started the home line with the mantra that luxurious, fashion-forward textiles could translate to any design aesthetic.

The Inside Source: What does it mean for a new designer label when someone like actress Demi Moore wears one of your looks?

Sachin + Babi: For us fashion has always been a labor of love. For years we've worked with fashion's top design houses creating beautiful garments, but it means that much more when you have your name on it. It's very encouraging and tremendously satisfying.

The Inside Source: Where do you find inspiration for both Ankasa home designs and the Sachin + Babi ready-to-wear collection, and how much do the two collections influence each other?

Sachin + Babi: Music, art, nature and travel…especially travel. When you work as much as we do, it's so important to "get away from it all." Experiencing different cultures, new cities, and landscapes is incredibly inspiring.

The Inside Source: Babi, what are your favorite fashion pieces in the fall 2010 collection to wear and why?

Sachin + Babi: The Gretchen Top—it's a classic blouse. You can dress it up or down. It's easy and feels good. It's already become my go-to.

Sachin + Babi Fashion

Sachin + Babi, Resort 2011

The Inside Source: What’s next for the Sachin + Babi brand?

Sachin + Babi: We just launched sachinandbabi.com, our first e-commerce store in which both our ready-to-wear and our home collections are for sale. We’re also going to focus on opening more Sachin + Babi stores. Being able to showcase both the home and clothing collections in one space really allows us to tell our story. We're a true lifestyle brand.

The Inside Source: You're married, you have two children and you design clothing and homewares together. Who does what—design/business, good cop/bad cop?

Sachin + Babi: Haha! Well I'm Sachin's muse. I am the woman wearing our clothes and I am also a realist. I know what is going to sell because I know what I would buy. Sachin is the true design student. From sketch to pattern he is incredibly talented. That said, when you've worked and lived together as long as we have, roles change. Some days I'm the one holding the pencil!

The Inside Source: Do you ever use eBay for fashion trend research or inspiration, and how often do you shop eBay?

Sachin + Babi: I love to play on eBay when I get the chance. I'm always amazed to see what is out there.

The Inside Source: Do you remember your first eBay searches/purchases?

Sachin + Babi: Sachin went through a cigar phase a few years ago and I bought him an Elie Bleu humidor. He no longer smokes now, so maybe I should put it back online. What goes around comes around!

What are your favorite eBay searches?

Sachin + Babi: Vintage jewelry, fashion magazines from the 40s and 50s, vintage sunglasses, vintage Hermes scarves, old vinyl records.

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