For One Local Clothing Designer, The Tunic is the Thing

The inspiration behind Two springs from every meaningful facet of Monica Patel-Cohn’s life.

The clothing line was, quite poignantly and clearly, an almost unavoidable destiny – the designs are a natural melding of her Indian and Italian heritage, her career history in fashion and her new role as a mother of two.

Two produces luscious caftans, dresses and tunics made from the softened fabrics of Indian saris. Patel-Cohn, who lives on the edge of Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill, began the clothing line with Piola Rio Branco in the summer of 2010 (though she is now the sole driving force of the company).

Patel-Cohn can site several “A-Ha!” moments in the birth of her design creation: the striking and beautiful contrast of the two sides of her family joining together at her own Santa Margherita wedding - her Indian relatives in their saris against the Italian landscape; the surprising glamour of a woman in a caftan at a friend’s hot South American wedding; and of course her own experiences as an expectant mother in search of wearable clothing during the scorching summer months.

Patel-Cohn sources sari fabrics directly from India, hand-picking the material and then removing the heavy starch, leaving the cotton fabrics light, soft and with generous movement (they get even softer with each wash). Every caftan is made from a different fabric, and therefore each is designed with an individualized drape.

“It is exciting to be involved in continuing this cultural tradition of sari making, and it is exciting to reinvent it for people who are not Indian,” says Patel-Cohn, whose reconnection with her father’s Indian culture carries its own personal impact.

What is marvelous about what Patel-Cohn is doing is her ability to translate the colors of India and the cultural tradition of sari making into something wearable and decidedly Western, while keeping the integrity of its (and her) heritage.

“It makes me happy to somehow be a part of that," she says.

The fabrics Patel-Cohn uses are made in small Indian villages by local communities using very basic looming techniques. The craftswomen make a living off their fabric weaving.

Many of the sari fabrics used feature intricate patterns and luscious embellishments. Some show the vibrant hues of India, while others are subdued. However, they are all traditional and simple sari fabrics, rather than the flamboyant or decadent styles that have come more in favor in India today, as the frequency of sari wearing declines with new generations.

A significant portion of Two’s customer base is expectant mothers (get it..."Two"?). Certainly, in these humid New York summers one can imagine nothing better than an open, flowing dress that allows for movement and ventilation - especially as the days get hotter and your tummy gets bigger.

And yet with Patel-Cohn’s caftans, comfort during pregnancy does not prohibit femininity, style and even glamour.

On the contrary, Patel-Cohn’s pieces sensually and effortlessly ride the curves of a woman’s body. It is for this reason that her caftans are popular with women who are not just looking for clothing for maternity. Patel-Cohn’s cuts flatter many body types, from thin, to full, to nine months pregnant.

Many women find Two’s caftans and tunics to be ideal as beachwear and cover-ups, Patel-Cohn says. But what is phenomenal is that these garments have the versatility to translate all the way from the beach, to dinner, to special occasions. The floor length caftans, with their sumptuous colors and feminine breath, look lovely worn as summer gowns.

Two also produces a children’s line and kid’s t-shirts. A Two caftan was recently featured on the trendsetting fashion blog The Sartorialist.

In the corner of Patel-Cohn’s DUMBO studio, pinned to the wall amongst photos and inspiration shots, is a torn out black and white photograph of Audrey Hepburn in the party scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The room of dancing guests is a swirling blur, while Hepburn, at the center of the image and draped in a toga, is in dazzling focus. It’s as if, with just a simple toss of fabric over her shoulder, she is the only woman in the world. 

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Two caftans, dresses and tunics, as well as a children’s line can be purchased online, where retailers are also listed.

Patel-Cohn will offer boutique service by appointment to Patch readers the week of August 21. Email for further information: info@twonewyork.com