Mumbai

19th June 1962

Business & Fashion degrees.

1995

When the designer returned to India after having completed his education, he faced several hurdles which he tackled meticulously! “My first challenge was to change Indian preconceptions. For instance, I like simple tailoring, but from an Indian point of view, I did too much beige, khaki and muted colours. Indians love colour and prefer shocking pink, orange and lime green tones. For me, that was too ‘costume’. So I astutely took the best of both East and West and came up with something unique. India is the embroidery capital of the world, and couture is more about hand embroidery, not so much about shape and form. I just started marrying this aspect with ready-to-wear techniques of pattern and fit – previously, no one knew how to cut a pattern or a sleeve!” says Tarun. In 1987, the couturier launched a multi-brand store Ensemble, which kicked off the whole idea of homegrown Indian couture. The store became a sensation, heralding a fashion and retail revolution in India. After that, he founded Tarun Tahiliani Design Studio in 1995.

The Tarun Tahiliani brand has set out to create the ultimate India Modern: a brand with a view in the present moment, but ultimately rooted in Indian drapes and techniques imbibed with love by millions of craftspeople. The silhouettes combine western notions of cut, construct and finish but use Indian heritage and craftsmanship. “All that we were and more…” This is the guiding philosophy of the Tarun Tahiliani Design Studio. The designer is known for the juxtaposition of modern tailoring and Indian craft that give an edge to modern consumers. It is essentially the exuberant and richly detailed, structured drape that represents Tarun Tahiliani’s modern, Indian woman. The Tarun Tahiliani Design Studio creates couture, occasion wear and ready-to-wear, which is a fusion of Indian craftsmanship and fine textiles with contemporary, international chic. His unique combination of historical opulence and contemporary style also lend themselves to couture.

Madhuri Dixit Nene, Lady Gaga, Arianna Huffington, Nita Ambani, Diipa Khosla, Tan France, Oprah Winfrey, Victoria Bekham, Paris Hilton, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, etc.

“I’ve already dressed the ones I wanted to!”