Set against a cutting edge glass backdrop that creates a magical mix of tradition and modernity Tarun Tahiliani presented the fourth edition of his Couture Exposition yesterday at DLF Emporio, New Delhi. The collection styled in the raw sensual glamour of the twenties has whimsical motifs, sensational colors and high octane glamour with the renewed energy of revivalist craft and contemporary construction.
With sixty of the finest pieces from the Studio’s latest couture collection on display, talking about the nuances of his couture vision Tarun said, “In India, fine workmanship finds itself in the hands of the artisans who have been pouring their energy, patience and painstaking hours into their work for hundreds of years. It is their intricate workmanship that celebrates and feeds Indian Couture, coupled with the European tradition of fine fit, tailoring and structured draping, these skills and traditions have been reinvented to produce an entirely novel blend of Indian finery and layered western construct in our collection.
The new bridal couture collection infuses revivalist craft and contemporary construction with progressive principles of design to create memorable couture pieces. “Bridal is about the bride. It shouldn’t be about trends. Women are still making polarized choices when it comes to couture, but clearly they must be true to who they really are,” added Tarun emphatically.
For something out of the ordinary, there are emerald green shararas in georgette with chikankari embroidery that exude classic charm. Three-dimensional antique gold sequinwork laid in clusters creates the illusion of depth and shade.
“Rich south Indian mangalgiri cotton can be couture too. I don’t see why couture has to be silk… they have day weddings too,” says Tahiliani with aplomb, as he infuses cool charm into cream cotton, crinkled and flared kurta with zari border styled with an embroidered kamarbandh and an ivory Angrakha in cotton voile with fine chikanwork styled with a cotton silk stole.
