From left: Sakshi Bajaj, Tina Bhinder and Rahul Khanna share a smile

Designer Rahul Khanna grew up in Amritsar surrounded by fabric as it were. His father manufactured suiting fabrics and shawls, and as a teenager with a creative bent of mind, Rahul designed his own jackets with the leftover fabric from the factory. Even while pursuing a degree in B.Com. from Chandigarh some 10 years ago, Rahul continued to create clothes. He ended up holding an exhibition of his garments in Amritsar around that time and much to his surprise he earned a tidy Rs 50,000 from the sale.

This encouraged him to take up designing in a serious way. He enrolled for a professional course at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Apparel Merchandising. After finishing the course, he worked as a freelance designer and stylist for leading export and fashion houses in Delhi and Mumbai. In 1998 he joined designer Rohit Gandhi and the duo launched their designer label, CUE, which today specialises in women’s westernwear and men’s formalwear.

A doting elder brother, Rahul, has been a friend and guide to both his sisters who are now married and settled in Amritsar. Sakshi is just one-and-a-half years younger than Rahul, while there is a difference of five years between Rahul and Tina. Sakshi is a freelance graphic designer and an upcoming artist who is looking forward to holding an art exhibition in Delhi in the near future. Tina, the youngest in the family, always looks up to Rahul for advice and continues to be his “baby sister”.

Rahul

As the eldest child, I was a big bully. I can’t ever forget all the pillow and ketchup fights I’ve had with my sisters. We would run all over the house, throwing ketchup on each other and hitting each other with pillows. I even did horribly mischievous things like sticking chewing gum in their hair, which wouldn’t come off unless they snipped their locks. And while they fretted, I would have a good laugh.

As kids we’ve had some amazing times playing pranks on each other, fighting, laughing and watching movies. Now both my sisters are married but despite our busy lives, we make it a point to keep in touch. Since there isn’t much of an age difference between me and Sakshi, we had a lot of common friends.

In fact, she married my best friend, Ritesh. Sakshi is a strong woman with her head on her shoulders. Though she is younger than me, she behaves like a protective older sister. I find it amazing how she can read my mind and knows when I’m concerned or worried about anything.

Tina and I have a lot of fun together and we still pull pranks on Sakshi to bother her. I treat Tina and her husband like my younger siblings and am very protective about them.

As far as I remember, my family and both my sisters have always been very supportive of whatever I have done. When I joined NIFT and decided to become a fashion designer, they were very excited because it meant getting fashionable clothes to wear! Today both look forward to fashion tips from me and I keep them updated on what’s in and what’s out.

While we are in constant touch through phone calls and monthly visits, we also make it a point to meet during occasions like tika or Diwali. Sakshi has a three-and-a-half year old daughter, Rhea, while Tina’s daughter, Zara, is just two years old. Both are adorable kids and I am crazy about them. The little girls resemble their moms and look just the way Sakshi and Tina did as kids. So, for me, spending time with the little ones is like revisiting our childhood.

Sakshi

As a child, Rahul would create something innovative from the discarded stuff lying around the house. He would always come up with newer and different ideas than the children in his age group. He was also very good at sketching. And he was the leader of our brat pack. We spent a lot of time together because we had loads of common friends. Though Rahul and I are more like friends, he’s also the sweetest brother that one can ask for. He’s not just dutiful, but is very responsible and caring about everyone in the family. He’s thoughtful and is always showering us with gifts. Most of all, he has been there for me whenever I have needed him.

Since he is very disciplined, he likes things around him to be in order. I can safely call him a perfectionist. One can learn a lot from him. There is nothing you can hate or dislike about Rahul because he is never unreasonable and has a very rational mind. He has always inspired me to do creative and worthwhile things in life. We are all very proud of him for what he has achieved — and that too at such a young age.

Tina

Rahul and I are very close and since I am the youngest in the family, he has always been protective about me. So much so, that when I was a child and my mother was debating sending me to boarding school, it was Rahul who refused to let me go.

Once he left for Delhi , I remember him returning home with tons of gifts for all of us. He hasn’t changed even a bit, and still loves to shower us with presents, dresses and whatever is new in the market. I think the best part about having a fashion designer brother is that you are updated on the latest fashion trends and can’t but help develop a good sense of dressing. He’s my fashion guru and it’s all thanks to him that I get to wear the latest from CUE. He is just perfect in whatever he does and most of all, he is always there when we need him.