Late last year, Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia took their collection to the Southwest to open Scottsdale Fashion Week. Just a few weeks earlier, Babi had celebrated her birthday in Santa Fe. That this spring lookbook was photographed in the Arizona desert shows just how impressive their time out West was for this East Coast couple. “I was surprised by the brightness of the desert flowers against the arid landscape,” said Babi, “the combination is so magical.”
In New York’s evening wear market, Sachin & Babi is synonymous with vibrant colours. Their offering is doubling down in bright colors at a time when stores seem to have lost most of their color. “We are an optimistic brand, that’s how we want to be in these terrible times,” said Babi. “The color palette comes from the optimism of nature, especially when set against the monotonous tones of the desert.” The spirit of joy is conveyed through the colors and through the clothes: saturated floral embroideries, sheer gowns and roomy and voluminous cuts all nod to the joys of dressing up.
The Ahluwalias are working on a brand reboot to refresh public perception of their label. “As we grow and evolve the brand, people generally forget the story,” says Babi. They have done a shoot in India with a satellite team in Mumbai, which they hope will refocus their storytelling. They have also launched evening bags and shoes. “A touch of vitality in someone’s wardrobe,” is how Babi described the new accessories. The same can be said of their dresses.
