When celebrity designer Tarun Tahiliani says “We need lots of fun in our lives and fashion provides that,” he is spot on. Whether it is couture with the drama element for the ramp or classic trousseau for the Indian bride, his ensemble is one to die for. Jemima Goldsmith, Liz Hurley, Shilpa Shetty and Upasana Kamineni had their wedding wardrobe designed by him and Katrina Kaif, Aamir Khan and other celebrities have worn his collection. Namrata Shirodkar has been his client as well, apart from other who's who in the city.
Contemporary, trendy and chic, his pret, custom-made couture and trousseau drapes come for a premium though. “It’s about the perfect fit, cut and feel that makes one look good. What is the point in wearing expensive clothes and look uncomfortable. There are several technical details and quality that makes the difference and we don’t make by thousands,” says Tarun Tahiliani, who inaugurated his new flagship store in Banjara Hills on Thursday, the largest of his chain.
In the collection lined up in the store co-designed by him with a Delhi-based architect, along with his fashion week collections the influence of Nizam’s jewellery seems evident like in his earlier timeless ‘jamewar’ with jewels. “I would have loved to dress up Noorjahan if I had to go back in time,” he mulls. From the contemporary women, “I think Shalini Bhupal, Mehr Jessia-Rampal and Deepika Padukone are stylish,” he adds.
Son of Admiral Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani, the designer, an extensive traveller himself, has not only ensured the revival of traditional crafts from various regions such as ‘chikankari’ and Uppada weaves, he also picks up inspirations from places he visits, which include Falaknuma Palace and Salar Jung Museum. “The country throws up a cultural diversity much like V.S.Naipaul’s “India: A Million Mutinies Now”,” says the designer.
For the city, kurtas with detailing in stones, and those with royal motifs are the designer's interpretation of the Hyderabadi royalty. Apart from making the Mangalgiri haute in an Anarkali avatar, he has designs for the Hyderabadi ‘khada dupatta’.
