The Tamesis
Occasion wear has always been Sachin & Babi’s main product, but “everyday social” wear is currently a hot item. “This category really inspires us and it’s still growing. We want to make sure she’s available for any need that may come up,” said Babi Ahluwalia of the Manhattan showroom, referring to her customers’ desire for more sophisticated garments beyond traditional black tie.
New pieces this season include an ankle-length chambray dress with intricate tailoring typically associated with evening gowns, a textured lamé fabric that blurs the line between garden celebrations and beach weddings, and a belted cotton T-shirt sleeve dress called Danica, printed with the brand’s fan-favorite floral print. There are also printed flowy silk-chiffon scarves in shades of pastel green and sky blue, hand-embellished with beads that look like an extension of a strapless dress, providing practical coverage and adding interest: as Ahluwalia puts it, “a piece in itself.”
Shot at Villa Sierra (aka “The Pink Door House”) in Palm Springs, the lookbook is an ode to Slim Aarons’ imagery and simpler times. “We are always drawn to the clarity of classic silhouettes, which feel emotionally familiar and timeless,” says Ahluwalia. “Medieval charm is refined and elegant. Luxury never seems to be overstated.” Regardless, for this husband-and-wife team, luxury is always in the small and intricate details. (As a completely vertical business, all hand embellishment and embroidery—their original claim to fame—is done in factories they own and operate.) Luxury is also a touchpoint they’re now able to offer customers, who come to visit their revamped studio five days a week and know exactly what they need.
“We’ve been doing this for a while,” Ahluwalia says modestly, as they have been involved since they met as FIT students in the mid-1990s. “We’re still evolving to please us. To me, fashion is about someone spending their money honestly, and then I get a DM from them saying, ‘Dad, I didn’t know I could dress like this.'” That’s when I knew I was doing my job right. “
