view the full collection in our Photo Gallery
story by Cassandra Past
photos by Ned and Aya Rosen
web editor Rachel Reneé
Leather dresses, pants, and jackets of the Sachin + Babi Fall 2012 collection rolled out to a remix of “Rapture” by mid-1970s band Blondie, setting the tone for a fast-paced show. The contrast of hard, embellished leather with flowing chiffon created edgy but not overpowering looks that flattered the female form with the use of architectural silhouettes.
In a pre-show interview with the husband and wife design team, Mr. Ahluwali stated that this season, there was “a lot of focus on the shape of a woman and the waist. Accentuating it with belts and a slight more tailored look than what we had done with the last season.” He also expressed that their main inspiration came from music, especially The Doors, and that there was a story behind the collection as Mrs. Ahluwali stated, of “a love child between Jim Morrison and Kate Beckinsale.”
The color palette of the collection was more confined with graphite gray, rose petal red, obsidian black, stallion white, sage green, and royal purple.
A flared, licorice black textured leather skirt with sheer, black chiffon shirt tucked into a high wasted leather belt was flirty and sexy at the same time. Black leather leggings paired with a fitted, textured leather jacket as well was sexy chic. A pine-needle green fitted leather dress falling just above the knee was smooth and sultry, accentuating the female silhouette with its impeccable tailoring and slate leather belt cinching the waist. Other highlights of the collection included an onyx, ostrich feather, pencil skirt complete with matching leather t-shirt.
Transitioning from day to night was a perfectly tailored, ebony flared skirt with strip of chiffon horizontally breaking up the harder leather with a softer, feminine touch. An ivory, geometric sleeveless blouse was tucked in, creating an almost tribal feel. Moving into evening wear was an exquisite, fitted gown in slate, with two high slits up the front. The bodice kept the gown structured while the skirt billowed. A scorching scarlet gown too; with a strapless leather bodice and long, high slits up the front of the flowing skirt dominated the runway.
Closing the collection was a long-sleeved pleated gown in deep amethyst with slits up the front of the sweeping skirt and a plunging back. Feminine and flattering was this collection; as well as sublimely empowering, inspirational, and ultimately, enrapturing.
