Tarun Tahiliani Kick Starts LFW in Mumbai

THE venue for Tarun Tahiliani‘s off-site show was done up to resemble an old study room with trunks and books lining wooden shelves in the background, reports Véronique Polès.

An old chair, gramophones and carpeted floor too lent a touch of vintage. More often than not, a set with an interesting story adds to the lure of an off-site show and on Thursday evening, Tahiliani’s show didn’t disappoint in terms of the ambience. Held at Tote on the Turf at Mahalaxmi Race Course, his show kick-started the Spring Summer 2013 edition of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW).

He combined ready-to-wear with a smattering of occasion wear. Dwelling on traditional embroideries and digital prints that form a core part of his design sensibility, his line had over 30 creations. Easy separates featured prominently in the ready-to-wear segment — be it lungi skirts, dhoti pants, churidar pants or tunics. The occasion wear, on the other hand, had a few anarkalis paired with churidars as also palazzo pants. Menswear that dotted the show comprised kurtas paired with dhotis and Nehru jackets. He used scarves both as part of the attire and as a headgear. And while the colour story stayed true to summer-friendly hues (read: ivory, beige and grey with hints of sorbet, peach and tangerine), the embroidery varied from appliqué and chikankari to kantha and dori work. Tahiliani noted how the separates are intended at catering to the modern Indian woman. “The collection is replete with youthful simplicity so as to help her transition effortlessly from day wear to loungewear,” he said. The silhouettes were carved out of light fabrics such as voile, georgettes, cotton silks, crepes and cutwork jamdani from Benaras. He chose to end the show with a pristine white blouse and lehenga with delicate embroidery. It wasn’t his best show, but it nevertheless was a sumptuous feast for the eyes.

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