Tarun Tahiliani’s bridal collection for the 2013 at Aamby Valley India Bridal Fashion Week was a walk down memory lane. Back to the Golden Age, Indian clothing were made in exquisite, but labor intensive ornate details. Tahiliani brings that back.
“Creating couture which keeps distinctive Indian crafts alive, while exploring visions in sparkling crystal and carat, reflects emotions that give shape to sensuous, elegant and bespoke luxury for any occasion wear and weddings. This exhibition is living, breathing heritage, married with the fresh vibrancy and essence of modern India.”
The show was complemented by contemporary dancers from Attakkalari. Swift and sharp movements coupled with the elegance of Tahiliani outfits, created a dreamy feeling.
The Gold Collection
Italian lamé falls on the skin like liquid gold. It is unusual, but beautiful and understated. Chain-mail dupattas adds power and structure that contrast with the floral embroidery and daintiness of femininity. The first part of the show offered us something different, something refreshing from the usual.
The Enchanted Forest
Like the fairy tales we all know, this collection is pastoral but with a bang of red. They are Indian in origin, but global in sensibility.
Risque necklines accompany saris with shadow reverse embroidery. The highlight? A glamorously wicked reinvention of the classic sari, it comes with obi belts, a cape and bustier.
Where the collection succeeded in fantastic cuts and embroidery, it fell short of true couture. A baby blue sari fell short of the dreamy elegance we all know from the Tahiliani brand.
The Man of the Hour
Turning all convention on its head, draped dhotis were fashioned out of kanjeevaram saris. Sherwanis and kurtas are layered to create a multidimensional story without all the glitter.
As the show went on, we saw more embroidered and ornate lenghas in pistachios and ruby reds.
Showstopper Lisa Haydon ended the show with Tahiliani’s signature rococo, heavily embroidered lenghas. Refreshing to see the outfit a light shade of lilac, Haydon’s demure pulled an bridal ensemble together that is sometimes seen as lavishly silly.
