Besides our actors, the Cannes Film Festival will see another Indian representation and this time it’s the celebrated designer Tarun Tahiliani. He will not be walking the red carpet but his creation will be showcased at the amfAR’s annual Cinema Against AIDS’ ‘The Ultimate Gold Collection Fashion Show’ on May 23. The show is curated by former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld in collaboration with supermodel Naomi Campbell.
The highlight though is the fact that Tahiliani will be the first Indian designer ever to showcase at this high-profile charitable fundraiser that will also feature creations by Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Prada, Giorgio Armani and more. In between a busy work day, Tahiliani makes time for a quick interview:
What have you designed for the amfAR fashion show?
I thought long and hard about what I wanted to design. As a designer I do not want to send a lehenga; people abroad have already seen many in Bollywood. I wanted my piece to be less “costumy”. So I designed something that is contemporary and Indian. It’s a fluid, structured gold evening gown that anyone can wear. Wearable fashion is something I stand by.
Can fashion and social cause feature on the same page?
They are always on the same page. This very event itself was founded by Elizabeth Taylor. Fashion attracts attention and in turn helps create awareness about a cause.
How different is it designing for a red carpet appearance and a fashion show?
Designing for a show and a red carpet is pretty much the same. We just alter the length of the dresses to suit the models or personalities wearing them. Moreover, red carpet dressing has a lot to do with one’s personality.
You would have observed Indian celebrities’ red carpet fashion sensibilities over the years. How has it changed?
There are many more red carpet events today. There are many more people participating in them now. But individual style depends on their respective stylists. No one looks bad, everyone looks good. The ultimate red carpet event though is the Oscars and no event comes close to that.
Celebrities in the West are increasingly sporting Indian designers. What does that trend mean to you?
I am not aware if it is a strong trend but if it is, it is wonderful!
Coming to wedding trousseaus, what’s the trend?
There are 100 different trends happening at a time with regard to wedding trousseaus. And there are many different ways in which one can mix and match and reuse their wedding trousseaus too, but they don’t know how to do it.
A major faux-pas that most brides and grooms commit?
Too much of everything — make-up, jewellery… It’s as simple as what happens when you overeat — indigestion.
