While growing up, when Gauri and Nainika Karan first watched the 1964 classic, My Fair Lady, they immediately fell in love with Eliza Doolittle, the film’s protagonist, played by actor Audrey Hepburn. Her flamboyant yet classy wardrobe and her romance with white wooed the two sisters. “We dreamt of wearing those clothes and even tried making them for ourselves with whatever fabrics we found at home,” recalls Nainika, laughing, at the duo’s new store in Delhi, launched earlier this month.The sisters, over the years, have created a name for themselves in the industry with their label that is known most for feminine, minimalistic red-carpet gowns and dresses. “Every collection we have ever worked on has something to do with My Fair Lady. It’s such an inspiration,” adds Nainika. A decade later, they have incorporated bits of this influence in a new venture — a home furnishing line called Gauri & Nainika HOME. At their store in Delhi’s Lado Sarai, spread across two floors, their voluminous gowns find space with Chesterfield sofas, life-size horse and bear showpieces, lamps, candle stands, side tables, photo frames and even a cutesy kids’ line. “Our aunt is an interior designer and while growing up, we developed an interest after looking at her work. I believe if you’re interested in design, you will automatically be into various aspects of design. We always knew we would get involved in interiors. It was only a matter of time,” says Gauri, 36, only a year older than her sister. The two share a close bond and the same taste in food, music, films, fashion, design and art. “She’s my soulmate and with her, even work is fun,” says Nainika. At the store, all the pieces have been collected and curated by them, after getting on board vendors from Delhi, Moradabad and Jaipur, among other cities in India. And all the pieces have been made at Nainika’s husband’s factory in Delhi. “The furniture can be customised in terms of different fabrics, and wood finishes,” says Nainika. All the pieces are large in size, with monochromes and simple designs dominating them. “We like stark yet grand furniture. Just like our clothes that are simple yet dramatic,” says Gauri.The sisters have tied up with Delhi’s Tasveer Gallery and Vadehra Art Gallery to bring forth some beautiful frames by Norman Parkinson, a celebrated fashion photographer; and Karen Knorr, an art photographer. There are also various coffee-table books for sale at the store, courtesy Spell & Bound Bookstore & Cafe in Delhi. The price range of all items at the store is between Rs 5,000–6 lakh.Come January, the two begin work on their Autumn-Winter 2015 collection, to be showcased at the fashion week in Delhi. As far as future plans are concerned, Nainika says, “We want to design boutique hotels, villas and people’s homes, and would love to open a store in Mumbai as well.”
