Abraham & Thakore’s spring-summer 2021 collection ‘Renewal’ has easy separates and lovely saris. Playful motifs highlight the ‘lightness of being’. Besides the signature monochromes, pink, saffron, haldi and lime green makes a summery shadecard. We spoke to David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore on the collection and what keeps them going even after close to three decades.

The collection has an element of quietude. What’s changed with Renewal?

We designed this collection after a long and difficult period last year. The pandemic has changed the course of our lives. It was a time of reflection and perhaps this quality influenced the design process.

If we thought last year was bad, 2021 has hit us harder. As creative people, how badly does it affect you, in the sense, does it all seem pointless sometimes?

We feel that regardless of how tough things get, it’s important to retain a positive outlook. When we look around us, we are grateful for what we do have. There are always lessons to be learnt.

So, when you do a collection now, where are both of you coming from?

The past year has reinforced our belief that fashion can make a difference. Even in small ways. We all get dressed every day. Design, colour and pattern can cheer one up immensely. We just have to bear in mind that style is meaningless without comfort.

The label will soon turn 30. How much has your experience helped you hold on in these precipice times?

Longevity has its rewards. One has gone through so many ups and so many downs. You realise that you need to hang on in there and eventually things work out.

Coming back to Renewal, Abraham & Thakore are known for their monochromes. Can you tell us how the love affair started?

There’s a soothing quality in monochrome palettes. When colour harmonises, we find a pleasing sense of order. Everything looks pulled together.

Are your wardrobes too mostly monochromes?

That’s an astute question. They are. Mostly!

We are in love with the Chilli sari. Can you tell us more about it?

We were looking for a motif that represented our everyday lives. Most butas in Indian textiles are Persian-inspired flowers. We wanted to tweak that convention and look for something closer to home. In our kitchens. With colour and a sense of humour.

We noticed the price point too.

Rs 3,000-Rs 15,000. Is that the direction the brand will take from now on... making designer labels more and more affordable?

We have had positive results with our website sales this past year and this collection is designed to reach an online market which is pan-Indian. Having said that, we do believe that designer fashion should be accessible to a wider audience.

A lot of us haven’t gone shopping in over a year. What did you buy last?

We must confess to slipping in and out of our neighbourhood mall on and off and rooting around. Of course one has shopped far less but there’s still a lot of satisfaction in wearing something new. We’ve also been attending office since last June and even though things are very quiet, we all make an effort to dress appropriately and it does make a positive difference to the team.

In these 30 years, what have you learned from fashion and what has fashion taught you?

We’ve learnt that, despite arguments to the contrary, everybody participates in fashion! Everyone makes a decision every day on how they are going to cover their bodies and present themselves to the world outside. That’s the power of fashion! Never underestimate it.

We designed this collection after a long and difficult period last year. The pandemic has changed the course of our lives. It was a time of reflection and perhaps this quality influenced the design process — David Abraham & Rakesh Thakore