A Runway Success
PANKAJ AND NIDHI AHUJA, FASHION DESIGNERS
The couple behind the label ‘Pankaj and Nidhi’ is as successful a match in the office as on glittering catwalks. Pankaj Ahuja says, “No respect is equal to no love,” and he holds his wife in high regard. Their love story began in 2002 in Rohit Bal’s studio where Pankaj was working as the head designer and Nidhi, fresh out of NIFT, was hired as a junior designer. Despite the nine-year age gap, the attraction was evident.
Pankaj recalls, “I was a serious, workfocused boss and it was awkward for me to be attracted to a colleague. I fought it for several months but could not overlook her hard work and sincerity.”
The couple got married in 2004 and Nidhi started working with an export design studio. In 2006, Pankaj launched his own label and realised that they needed to join forces to make the business work. Today, after many successful shows and international presence, the couple works out of their Noida studio which they admit “doesn’t have a square inch of free space”.
Besides designing, Nidhi looks after social interaction with clients while Pankaj takes care of international travel and clientele. Nidhi says, “We have an excellent working rapport because that was our first relationship. Being in the same space helps us stay in sync.”
The two give each other due space by sometimes driving separately to work; for instance, they often go for coffee dates and lunches on regular work days. “Pankaj always respects my opinions which makes me feel very secure about being an equal partner,” she says.
Keeping ego aside
“There’s no space for ego. Value your partner’s opinion and find a middle ground,” shares Pankaj. For Nidhi, “Appreciating each other’s ideas and efforts results in a positive environment.”