Inside Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla’s new chapter in design

For over four decades, designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla have defined a distinct aesthetic within Indian couture—rooted in craft, layered in detail, and unmistakably visual in language. Their practice has continually evolved, moving from couture to interiors and event design. Now, the duo has forayed into hand-embroidered bags—treated as couture extensions through intricate beadwork and surface detailing—and luxury candles, which are created with notes of jasmine, oud, amber, and mogra. Each piece is a continuation of their design vocabulary—where technique, material, and finish remain central to expression.

Their latest showcase in Delhi exuded a sense of continuity—every piece, whether a bag or a candle, felt like an extension of their couture universe. The space shimmered with the same spirit of maximalism and refinement that has long defined their work, yet there was something more intimate here—a sense of memory, and artistry finding new expression.

Bazaar India caught up with Sandeep Khosla on their new collection.

Harper’s Bazaar: The new collection extends into hand-embroidered bags and luxury candles. What inspired you to translate your couture sensibility into lifestyle objects?

Sandeep Khosla: As artists, our creativity is always seeking new avenues of expression. We’ve never been content to confine ourselves to fashion alone. Over the years, we’ve diversified into interiors and event design—this is simply a continuation of that evolution. Handbags and candles felt like a natural extension of our design language. We work purely on instinct and curiosity, and our passion for beauty is endless. Entering new lifestyle arenas was both organic and inevitable.

HB: Opulence is at the heart of this collection. How do you preserve refinement while embracing maximalism?

SK: Refinement is non-negotiable—it’s intrinsic to who we are and how we design. For us, maximalism and restraint coexist seamlessly. The finest craftsmanship, executed with precision, becomes art. Every layer, every detail is purposeful and exacting. There are no shortcuts; the goal is always impeccable.

HB: You’ve worked together for nearly four decades. What’s the secret to sustaining a creative partnership this long?

SK: In 2026, we will mark 40 years of collaboration. We met in 1986 and, almost instinctively, decided to join creative forces. From the very first garment, it was clear that one plus one equalled far more than two. There’s an alchemy between us that fuels our imagination and creative drive. We trust each other completely, respect each other’s genius, and allow space for flaws and forgiveness. Love, respect, gratitude, and trust—those are our unwritten rules.

HB: Your designs are often described as deeply narrative. How does personal history inform the stories you tell through your work?

SK: We are, by nature, artists and dreamers. Our imaginations are limitless, our appetite for beauty insatiable. We create to reinvent, to redefine what already exists. Each collection is an act of seeing the world anew—of expressing something soulful, rare, and deeply personal through design.

HB: The brand is known for reworking age-old textiles and techniques. What does reinvention mean when you’re working with something that already carries centuries of history?

SK: We take immense pride in our craft legacy, but replication has never been enough. Reinvention, for us, means pushing traditional techniques to new levels of finesse, creating a contemporary vocabulary that still honours its origin. Our focus is always on evolving the language of craft—transforming it into art that feels timeless, relevant, and sophisticated.

HB: You’ve dressed everyone—from Bollywood’s leading stars to Beyoncé. What, in your view, makes a look truly iconic in today’s fleeting fashion culture?

SK: True beauty endures. We’ve never subscribed to transient trends or the one-season wonder of fast fashion. What lasts is originality and uncompromising craftsmanship. Our work is built on both—a commitment to creating the finest, most authentic expression possible.

 

Images: Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla

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