Twenty years ago, two individuals -- Rahul Khanna and Rohit Gandhi -- set foot in the fashion industry and since then the duo hasn't looked back.
The designer duo, just like their enduring partnership, believe in curating garments that are timeless and elegant. In addition, they are also of the opinion that apparels have great potential to change people's lives.
And besides their fabulous creations that have been showcased on several national and international platforms, the two have an impressive client list that includes everyone from international star Zayn Malik to B-town celebrities Sonakshi Sinha, Bhumi Pednekar, Alia Bhatt, Malaika Arora Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao just to name a few.
Their creative partnership has given the fashion world creations that the Indian fashion industry would be proud of.
Known for their contemporary prêt wear for both men and women, the duo lays great emphasis on silhouettes and detailing which draws inspiration from linear structures, geometrical lines and are greatly influenced by modern contemporary art.
Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna also specializes in bespoke men’s couture with precision fit for the modern men.
Recipients of several awards including the ‘Best Pret Collection’ on various platforms and 'GQ- Designers of the Year' title, the duo showcases their work every season at the Indian Fashion Week and are regulars at several international trade fairs, namely Coterie in New York, Tranoi and Who’s Next in Paris.
So, when the duo completed two decades of creative partnership, we spoke to them exclusively to find out what has kept their partnership going for the last quarter of a century, how have they kept their brand relevant for so long and more.
"The journey has been exhilarating. The industry was extremely humble and naïve when we started, fashion was not yet commercial and we designed to fulfill our passion. All in all, the journey has been great; filled with its shares of ups and downs but we wouldn’t trade it for anything," said Rohit and Rahul in an exclusive interview with News18.com.
When asked what has kept their partnership going, they said, "Honesty. We’re each other’s biggest critics, we have the same sensibilities but the ways of achieving goals for both of us are different. Each day is filled with its share of fun and fights and in the end we always reach a conclusion that’s best for the brand."
Talking about the challenges that they faced when they started off and the turning point for the brand, the designer duo recalled, "We started off as a small unit without a workforce or external support. We played several roles including that of a CEO/accountant /merchandiser. But, we wouldn’t call that a roadblock as that has given us a strong awareness of who we are today. But, it did make balancing these important elements precarious."
"A major turning point for us was seeing our design sensibilities being celebrated in the international market. We started showcasing in Paris and New York in the early 2000’s and never expected such a positive and overwhelming response. It made us realize that staying true to the brand's DNA and celebrating individuality was integral to success," they said.
Revealing that self-belief is the only thing that has kept the brand relevant, Rohit and Rahul said, "We’ve always been adventurous and unafraid to try new things and take risks. That's what has kept the brand relevant over the years."
Stating that today's consumer is much more fashion conscious and aware, the designer duo, when asked about the changes they have seen in the fashion industry and among consumers over the last few years, said, "The client of today is fully aware of the global fashion scene and the industry has definitely become more commercial. Yes, people are more fashion conscious, they have an appreciation for luxury and are unafraid to be distinctive."
"A deeper awareness of global fashion is what has led to this change," they said when asked what has led to this change among people and the industry as a whole.
Talking about Bollywood and celebrity endorsement, the duo said that they believed in the practice and were of the opinion that celebrity endorsements does help a brand in reaching out to people from all walks of like. Also, they mentioned that they have clients who demand specific dresses sported by celebrities.
"We have clients who love Ranveer’s quirkiness and they want to dress like him for a specific event or women who love Frieda’s understated red carpet vibe. The endorsement helps the brand reach people from all walks of life," they said.
Lastly, speaking about why they haven't taken up any full-fledged Bollywood project yet, they said, "There have been a number of offers that have come our way but unfortunately we have always had to decline due to time constraints and the fact that they are based out of Bombay. We like to be busy working on multiple projects at a time, showcases in Paris are being balanced with an art show in Delhi. The versatility and intermixing of different genres makes us who we are; which is why we would be open to working on any interesting projects that come our way in the future."
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