After seven months of hard work, Tarun Tahiliani’s quest for an Indian modernity has found him a new address
With each carefully crafted stitch on myriad of fabrics, the master of haute couture, Tarun Tahiliani has redefined the look of modern Indian bride.
Tahiliani has grown through the ranks of Indian designers over the past few decades. Rising to global fame through his bridal wear collections, he is also well known for his groomswear – infusing Indian craftsmanship and textile heritage with European tailored silhouettes.
As 2017 gets rolling, fashion maestro Tarun Tahiliani is on a new high. The couturier has long championed the concept of India Modern. His quest for the modern Indian has found an elegant utterance with his new store at Qutab Garden in historic Mehrauli area.
The space marries essentially Indian elements with a contemporary feel that doesn’t feel contrived or oppressively ethnic. “When you walk into my space, I want you to know you’re entering my mind,” he says. And it’s true. Here, rare blood-red carnelian from Chennai has been fashioned into tabletops, and the floor is a symphony of earthy-ochre sandstone from Rajasthan, strewn with Tarun Tahiliani carpets.
Custom-designed Zoffany wallpapers for the backdrops of display vitrines, and all these are reflected in vintage, hand-etched mirrors. In short, the space is pure Tarun Tahiliani: luxurious without being ostentatious, and rich without being offensive.
It took Tahiliani over seven months-from design to execution-to design the space to his exacting specifications. As you enter, the foyer opens onto a short, bifurcated stairway that leads up to the ready-to-wear sections featuring displays of his women’s and men’s collections. Behind them, an 18th-century, hand-carved wood facade from Gujarat dominates the stairwell that leads down to the haute couture section replete with well-appointed private rooms for trials and lengthy shopping sessions, all illuminated with antique chandeliers.
Photo: Pankaj Kumar