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TAKE TWO

`India can make it big globally'

Designers Ashish Soni and Rajesh Pratap Singh not only share a healthy professional relationship, but the two are also best friends. In-between touring the country to showcase their clothes at the recent Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, the duo sit down with Renuka Vijay Kumar and discuss fashion and friendship.

Rajesh: You were my senior and used to rag me and order me to do things. No, I'm just kidding.

Ashish: We have known each other for a long time. I started off a few years before Rajesh, but we knew each other because of our work.

Rajesh: ... And our sons are also best friends.

Ashish: Our sons were born two weeks apart and they are growing up together. They have been together since they were two months old and now they are five years old.

Rajesh: Apart from fashion, we end up spending a lot of personal time together. Our wives are best friends too.

Ashish: We holiday and do shows together. We are often asked about being friends and, in the same industry, but I ask, `Aren't people in other industries friends? For us friendship comes before what we do. The rest of the world is there to analyse us, or trash us.'

Rajesh: We are always watching each other's work and praising or criticising it.

Ashish: We both believe India has the potential to make it big on the international fashion scene.

We are trying to do whatever we can to change the perception abroad of Indian fashion, that it's just ethnic.

We might be too old when that happens, but even if we contribute to bringing about a minute change in the next 10 years, it will be good for what's to come thereafter.

Rajesh: Yes, we have similar dreams and goals.

Ashish: We are not lehanga makers, so for us, the market outside India is more lucrative.

Rajesh, you are exceptionally good at converting last minute chaos into a beautiful collection. But I work at my own pace.

Rajesh: Yes, you said it.

Ashish: Actually, it's difficult to describe you.

The credit goes to you for turning the fashion industry around when you started the `young Indian fashion designer' movement.

Rajesh: Ashish, you've been nice to me.

You are honest and have supported me at all times. Now, let's talk about the World Cup.

Ashish: Oh yes! We go for all the World Cup matches together.

We are going to the Caribbean islands next year. But, we have mixed feelings right now.

Rajesh: The team's recent failure has been shattering.

I hope they come up with a new strategy to show the world they are resilient and can bounce back.

PHOTO: V. SIVAKUMAR

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