He plays with fabrics, she crunches the numbers. He sketches fast and furious, she keeps things running smoothly at the studio. Meet Ayan and Preetika Sarkar, the husband-wife duo behind Couturewala, one of the better-known designer labels in the city.

Both graduates from the Indian Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT), Delhi, Ayan and Preetika ventured into the field of fashion in 1997. While Ayan was on the faculty of the National Institute of Fashion Design (NIFD) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Calcutta, Preetika opted to design for several reputed ateliers in the city. It wasn?t long though, before the two decided to branch out on their own and start up Couturewala.

Although both are trained designers, Preetika prefers to take care of the administrative angle of the business while Ayan remains at the creative helm. Their forte is ethnic bridalwear although they do dabble in regular saris, suits and more. The Sarkars supply their creations to a clutch of chic boutiques across the country including Ogaan in Delhi, Melange in Mumbai, Elaan in Ahmedabad, Origins and Elahe in Hyderabad and Ogaan and Espee in Calcutta. But Couturewala creations will finally find their very own space at the new studio the Sarkars are opening in the next few months. As partners at work and in life, Ayan and Preetika say they have struck just the right balance between successful careers and a fulfilling marriage.

Ayan:

I first met Preetika at a friend?s place. At first glance, I thought she was Bengali because she has typical Bengali features. But after being introduced, I learned she was Punjabi ? Preetika Puri was her name. Nevertheless I liked what I saw and though it was just a fleeting introduction, I had my eye on her all night. So yes, it was a case of instant liking. The vibes were there all right ? sadly, all from my side!

I had to work really hard to win Preetika over. Since I knew nothing about her, I tapped our mutual friend for information. I soon discovered that she was three years my junior studying in Standard XI. I also found out the bus stop she would wait at and all her favourite haunts. I even went to such lengths as to beg my friends to organise parties and invite Preetika over just so that I could meet her. I?m glad to report that all my efforts paid off and in the next six months, we met on and off. One evening after yet another party, I offered to walk Preetika home. We got chatting as usual, yet when it came to broaching the topic of ?us?, I found myself tongue-tied. But I think she had twigged on by then. A bit of hesitation on her part was only natural as we hail from different backgrounds. But I think the attraction was too strong to resist. I fondly recall our first date. We had gone to the PVR complex and had a nice long meal at Nirula?s.

Things carried on in the same vein for about two years. Then the drama started. Preetika told her parents about our relationship and hackles were raised. They went about trying to fix up her engagement with someone else, leaving us no alternative but to elope in true filmi style! Again my friends played a major role helping us run away. Our first stop was at the registrar?s office after which we proceeded to a mandir. That was the easy part! The tough part was breaking the news to her parents. We chose to do that the safest way ? over the phone. I pretended to be a friend and told her father that Ayan and Preetika had married. Expectedly, he was shocked!

After another week in Delhi, we returned to Calcutta and my parents who had some idea of all the goings-on. Thankfully though, after about six months, Preetika?s parents came around. They even visited us here and ever since, things have been hunky-dory!

Even though we got married quite early, the going has been really good! It?s only natural that when two people live together and share a space, after a while, they learn each and every facet about each other. It?s the same with Preetika and I. Each of us knows how the other functions. But yes, marriage is a constant effort ? an effort to keep your partner happy. That?s the way it should be!

Working with your spouse is not the easiest thing in the world. Toes do get trampled upon. But we make it a point to sort out any issues we may have had during the day that night itself. So there can never ever be any emotional hangovers. In any case, our roles at work are well defined. While Preetika handles the financial and administrative aspects of the business, I?m solely into designing.

That?s not to say Preetika doesn?t do any designing. She does, but not as much as I?d like her to, simply because she gets caught up in the business aspect. She?s a talented designer and I wish she?d stress upon that more.

What I love about Preetika is that she?s a great match for a crazy guy like me. I just wish she could relax more ? she does have a tendency to get tense and stressed-out at the smallest of things.

Preetika:

My first impression of Ayan was that he was quite different. There was this sense of energy and exuberance that surrounded him and that?s what I liked. We started out as friends. Of course, I didn?t have a clue that Ayan was bending over backwards trying to make an impression on me. We met quite a few times during those first six months. Ayan would suddenly pop up outside my school or my coaching centre. But I guess I was too naive at the time to think anything of these chance meetings. It didn?t even occur to me that things would take a romantic turn.

But they did. I remember it was just before my board exams when Ayan directly broached the topic of a relationship with me. I was taken aback and asked him for some time. But later, after thinking it over, I knew I wanted to date him.

Soon, things were going great guns for us. My parents though, were opposed to our relationship. So in the end we had no other choice but to run away. I remember waiting for my mom to leave for school (she was a teacher) and my dad to go to office before making my move. That was seven and a half years ago and I was all of 19 years.

Since then life has been good to us. We live and work together and share everything the world has to offer. Working with Ayan is good because we have segmented responsibilities. We don?t interfere in each other?s arenas too much but when disagreements occur, we thrash them out that very day.

What I?ve always loved about Ayan ? and still do ? is his incredible energy. Even at two in the morning, his batteries are fully charged. He?s full of fun. I?m quite the opposite, being rather shy and introverted. I guess that?s what draws me to him.

Photograph by Subhendu Chaki