Abraham and Thakore (A&T) have never played by the rulebook. When their eponymous brand was launched in 1992, their contemporaries were focused on serving up over-embellished bridal wear to the affluent Indian segment. The designer duo, however, went in the opposite direction, stocking their accessories (scarves and kimonos) at The Conran Shop in London. In a span of just a few years, their textile-based merchandise of home furnishings and accessories were flying off the shelves at stores like Liberty, Browns and Selfridges. Back home, when the Fashion Design Council of India was setting up the first official India Fashion Week in 2000, the brand had already gained a strong foothold in the European market. It was only in 2010, 18 years after the brand’s inception, that David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore graced the ramp with their first creation—a black, belted sari—at the autumn/winter edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (now Amazon India Fashion Week). The collection reflected the ethos of the Indian fashion fraternity at that time, when designers were finally stripping the excess, finetuning the clutter and modernising Indian classics.
“We often look at the incredible design language developed in India over the centuries, and we are unfailingly inspired,” says Abraham. The term ‘India Modern’ may have caught on with the audience fairly recently, but Abraham and Thakore had already established a thriving design house by constantly refreshing their staples. Their cult following hasn’t dwindled in 25 years, even though they chose to stay away from the limelight for a good part of it. Their progressive design philosophy ensured that the brand stayed relevant over the decades. Today, A&T retails out of two standalone stores in Delhi and Bangalore, multi-designer outlets like Ensemble and Ogaan, and their website Abrahamandthakore.com.
This story is from the March 24, 2020 edition of Femina.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 24, 2020 edition of Femina.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
AGAINST ALL ODDS
SAIKA ISHAQUE's cricketing journey is a remarkable story of resilience, determination, and triumph against adversity, writes Kayal Arivalan
MASTERING THE ART OF TEACHING
DR SANGHAMITRA BUDDHAPRIYA talks to Ravina M Sachdev about her many accomplishments and her inspiration to become a professor
ART ATTACK
KANIKA RANKA ADANI, founder of The Studio Project, talks to Ravina M Sachdev about turning her passion into her profession
GLOBAL CRAVINGS
PLAKA in Bengaluru promises an exceptional dining experience for casual dining enthusiasts eager to explore international cuisines
TAKE A BREAK IN GANGTOK
Nestled amid the breathtaking landscapes of the Eastern Himalayas, Gangtok is a serene choice for your summer vacation
NOURISHING THE NEW MOTHER
The right nutrition can help new mothers recover and feel stronger.
HOW'S YOUR AURA DOING TODAY?
Do you have a positively-charged aura? Prachi Rijhwani helps you find out
QUIT RIGHT
Pratyasha Sarkar shares ways to quit your job without burning your bridges
WRITE YOURSELF SUCCESSFUL!
Riddhima Shishupal shares ways by which you can ace professional communication
BEAT THE BURNOUT
Here are expert-backed tips to prevent burnout at work