HELLO! India Exclusive: Falguni and Shane Peacock on couture, craft and cosmic chemistry

“No matter what I design, she makes it better,” says Shane Peacock, abridging his relationship with Falguni, his partner of over 25 years. In these decades, the designer duo has built an empire of style that’s become synonymous with feathers, shimmering crystal embellishments, an East-meets-West aesthetic, and maximalist glamour. They’re on Indian and international red carpets — think Oscars, Cannes and the Met Gala — global music videos — both Britney Spears and Beyoncé have worn their designs — the biggest fashion weeks, and even made it to the White House. Amid this world domination vis-à-vis couture, we wonder where their persona as designers ends and the husband and wife dynamic begins. 

“It’s all a blur!” says Shane. “Whether we’re on a flight or even on vacation, either one of us can get an idea, and we start discussing it. There are no set rules.” “And that’s the beauty of our relationship,” adds Falguni. “Coming to work has never felt like a chore. We’re both extremely excited to run to work every morning!” That the brand is a natural extension of who they are is evident not merely in their everyday aesthetic, but also in their magnetic mannerisms around each other. “It’s something that we live and breathe. We can’t cut off — and we don’t want to,” she asserts.

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Before they wed, Falguni and Shane ran separate labels, but soon realised it made little sense to own competing brands. On the foundation of a shared dream and ambition, they came together to build what’s grown into a global atelier, with an aesthetic that’s recognisable a mile away.

Today, a sense of comfort and familiarity remains their mainspring. No idea is too silly to share with the other, no decision too difficult to make together. “We’ve both mastered design, but having different skill sets makes us stronger together. I don’t think I’d have been as successful as an individual designer,” Shane smiles at his wife. Each is open to the other’s critique sans hard feelings. Each is willing to make iterations sans fuss.

“That, I think, is success,” he adds, “because we know we’re working towards a common goal, on a common path, with one common vision.” While they work hand in hand on most aspects of the FSP universe, Shane looks into the functioning of factories, production cycle, labourers et al, whereas Falguni handles client meetings and oversees their stores. From the outside, it’s a balanced, well-oiled system; on the inside, it’s a ship with two captains.

And these captains never rest. 

“Whether it’s at work, at home, or while we’re travelling, we’re constantly inspired to do something new,” Falguni shares with zeal. “We’re so blessed to have that passion towards creating something all the time. Neither of us can simply sit and relax!” The two-peas-in-a-pod approach worked in their favour back in 2015, when they decided to end their hiatus with New York Fashion Week. It was the year their iconic saree-shirt was born, thanks to a little push by legendary stylist Law Roach, their creative director for the show. He had insisted they bring India with them for their comeback, and they landed on the concept of a saree-shirt. Multiple iterations later, Shane wasn’t convinced and decided to scrap the idea. But when Falguni swooped in, she got it done in New York in one night, and voila! It was their biggest hit of the night!

“It was such a great take on India but Westernised at the same time… Falguni takes that initiative to push a little harder, especially when I’m like a horse with blinders on,” Shane says, sheepishly.

WHEN MAXIMALISM MAKETH THE MAGIC

In a day and age that’s moving towards restrain and bare-boned minimalism — be it in architecture, automobiles or fashion — Falguni Shane Peacock is proudly, loudly maximal. Each of their designs is a spectacle in its own right, celebrating every shard of crystal, every delicate feather that’s stitched into their structured yet flowing silhouettes. To future-proof a brand that’s built on drama, FSP has instilled depth into their various verticals, which includes a contemporary line that they “retail from nearly 80 to 100 stores,” and a prêt line they plan to expand in India. There’s also their international couture collections, of course, that sell out of multidesigner stores globally, and their Indian wear line.

To future-proof a brand that’s built on drama, FSP has instilled depth into their various verticals, which includes a contemporary line that they “retail from nearly 80 to 100 stores,” and a prêt line they plan to expand in India. There’s also their international couture collections, of course, that sell out of multidesigner stores globally, and their Indian wear line. “The aesthetic and design language of each of these verticals is so different. There was a time when we tried the minimal approach, but it just didn’t speak to us,” explains Shane. “Plus, India is all about maximalism,” Falguni elaborates.

ON BOARD THE BEAUTY-WAGON

It all began with one Sunday phone call from superstar Katrina Kaif. “Would you like to do a collaboration with Kay Beauty?” she asked. Falguni took a beat, requested for 30 minutes, and held an internal discussion. The result: the Kay Beauty X Falguni Shane Peacock couture beauty collection of limited-edition matte lipsticks and face palettes.

“Beauty is a natural progression for any design house, but we were particular about one thing: as a couture brand, we wanted the lipsticks to feel like couture, with that elevated, luxurious touch,” Falguni explains their approach. Numerous experiments with the weight of the lipstick, the bullet, shades, shapes and also how they wanted the logo to stand out engendered a product that looks and feels luxe. The packaging, too, spells couture, inspired by Art Deco and the glamour of the 1920s, with metallic finishes, ornate detailing and gold accents drawn from their sartorial aesthetic.

FIGURING THE FSP FUTURE

When Falguni and Shane first ventured into design, both had a lot to prove to their families, who were far removed from the creative world. While Falguni came from a family of chartered accountants and lawyers, Shane’s father was an engineer, making both determined to demonstrate how design was in their DNA. Today, their agenda achieved, there’s an FSP touch in every part of their home, leading us to wonder whether there’s homeware in the pipeline.

“In due course of time!” says Falguni. “We’ll have a full range of homeware, including tableware, silverware and the like. It’s work in progress! In fact, we’ve made carpets in the past and still work on rugs. Some of our stores have FSP designed rugs and cushions.”

FSP home décor is certainly something to look forward to in the next decade Though if they had to look back, neither believes they’d do anything differently. “It’s all the silly mistakes and decisions that made us who we are — perhaps why there’s still a sense of fun in waking up and rushing to work, sitting beside each other!” says Shane. All these years later, the spark certainly remains, be it in their banter or their bespoke designs…

This story was featured in the Vol 1. Issue 7 of HELLO! India. For more exclusive stories, subscribe to the magazine here.