Late last year, Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia took their collection to the southwest to open Scottsdale Fashion Week. Just a few weeks prior, Babi had celebrated her birthday in Santa Fe. That this spring lookbook was photographed in the Arizona desert showcases just how impactful their time out west was for this east coast couple. “I was taken aback by the brightness of the desert flowers against the arid landscape,” said Babi, “the juxtaposition is so magical.”
In New York’s evening wear market, Sachin & Babi is synonymous with vivid color. Their offering doubles-down on brights at a time where stores seem to have lost most of their color. “We are an optimistic brand, it’s how we’d like to be in these terrible times,” said Babi. “The color palette comes from the optimism of nature, especially when we place it against the monotone hues of the desert.” The spirit of joyfulness carried from the colors and into the clothes: saturated floral embroideries, diaphanous gowns, and ample and voluminous cuts all nod to the delights of dressing up.
The Ahluwalias are working on a brand reboot to refresh the public perception of their label. “As we grow and evolve the brand, people generally forget the story,” said Babi. They’ve done a shoot in India with a satellite team in Mumbai that they hope will refocus their storytelling. They’ve also launched evening bags and footwear. “A pop of vitality in someone’s wardrobe,” is how Babi described the new accessories. The same could be said for their gowns.