Tahiliani promises magic at LIFW
The doyen of drapes, Tarun Tahiliani, admits the Milan Fashion Week forced him to move away from the trousseau trap. So, at LIFW 2004 his show today promises to be hip, with the designer giving a three-minute voiceover on his inspiration for the 120 pieces to be worn by a battery of 35 models.
The doyen of drapes, Tarun Tahiliani, admits the Milan Fashion Week forced him to move away from the trousseau trap. So, at LIFW 2004 his show today promises to be hip, with the designer giving a three-minute voiceover on his inspiration for the 120 pieces to be worn by a battery of 35 models.
"My show starts with wraps that I call a deluxe version of modern sanyasis wear, and goes on to chikan pant suits and dresses. The mad collage of digital printing on jeans, linen pajyamas and jackets are new. I've also taken the controversial jewelled story and put it on T shirts and saris," he says. His line has almost no embroideries. "What's the hungama about copying jewelled tees? Anyone can do it. Actually I'm flattered that I was copied," he adds.
Tahiliani, who says LIFW is important to him despite the fact that he retails from Deo Moretti (Milan), Joseph's (UK, who also retail Gucci and Prada) and Sun Motoyama (Tokyo) and now wants to rope in Saks Fifth Avenue and Joyce (Singapore).
He admits the whole idea of the fashion show is to create magic and theatre on the ramp and has less to do with wearability. "But buyers want to see clothes that will sell, so for a designer it's tightrope walking between theatre and wearability," he says.
Tahiliani firmly believes in upholding the Indian tradition of embroidery and embellishments and isn't apologetic about it. "The French celebrate their haute couture culture and the Italians their impeccable styling, so why should we as Indians be running away from what we are best at? I know that whenever I try to do ready to wear it eventually ends up becoming evening wear, but then that's what I'm good at. As a designer I know my strengths and weaknesses, and that's what matters," concludes Tahiliani. So, fasten your seatbelts to witness the Tahiliani magic!