Tarun Tahiliani’s collection at ICW 2016 pays homage to Indian courtesans

Infused with grandeur and elegance, veteran fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani ended the second day of the five-day fashion gala with his collection 'Last dance of the courtesan' at the FDCI India Couture Week 2016 on July 21. (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH)

Exquisite and rich apparels were on display as Tarun Tahiliani paid a homage to the fashionistas of their times, Indian courtesans. (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH Images)

The collection which was an acknowledgement of the highest bastions of culture, poetry, dance and finesse as practiced by the courtesans till a little over a century ago, had embroideries in a new avatar. (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH Images)

The showcasing commenced and ended with a Kathak performance by Sufi Kathak dancer Manjari Chaturvedi, who donned a peach-pink lehenga choli and dupatta embellished in swarovski. (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH Images)

Embellished with different shapes and sizes of Swarovski crystals, the collection was in hues of ombre, sunset ombre, yellows, creams to peaches to blues, oranges to reds, reds to pinks on fabrics like sushi voile, georgette, cotton jacquard, cotton silks, crepes and cutwork jamdanis to create light and breezy styles in draped forms. (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH Images)

Models sashayed down in suits, sarees, lehengas, lehenga-sarees, sherwanis. With fusion music in the background, a huge crystal chandelier, worn out mirrored pillars and mogras looming from the ceiling added to the atmosphere. (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH Images)

The paneled jackets, voluminous skirts, concept saris, lehengas uplifted by opals, pearls and other crystals from swarovski interspersed with French knots and floral embroidery complemented with messy hair buns with flowers tucked on one side, the models in courtesan inspired drapes looked attractive, beautiful and earthy. (Text: Agencies/Photo: TashiTobgyal)

The male models flaunted Tahiliani's cream hued creations reminiscing the time when the well-dressed and handsome, rich nawabs visited kothas to see the courtesans and dancers perform. (Text: Agencies/Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)

"I wanted to go back to the roots. Today, the bridal wear has become too heavy and costumy. So, I felt it's time to go back to not just costume but to be modern. My collection was super glamorous yet modern and contemporary," Tahiliani told reporters here post the show. (Text: Agencies/Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)

The collection explores the possibility of a wearable lightness of being for the contemporary diva, with inspirations drawn from the finery of the courtesans. They led the fashion scene in their era. (Text: Agencies/Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)

The use of tulle was very apparent in the outfits and the designer said he wanted to play with the fabric. (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH Images)

"We have used beautiful tulle, chanderi then we have made use of Swarovski crystals. So, it's an amalgamation of technology and art. I had to re-do one of the outfits six times because I wasn't entirely satisfied." (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH Images)

Tahiliani further said he focused on making the attires as light as possible. (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH Images)

"The inspiration is lightness. Today, when the pandit finishes the wedding rituals, the DJ is already waiting, so, the bride wants to put on her dancing shoes without changing her traditional wear. So, the lehenga should be such you can quickly team up with a white shirt or something else modern!" (Text: Agencies/Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)

"Wedding dresses are special. They should be used over and over again rather than being a one-time wear. So, these were the ideas in my mind while designing the collection," the designer said. (Text: Agencies/Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)

Though he used pastel and pale shades, his outfits sparkled and shone. "I love pastels and I have used a lot of pale because I feel if you do your hair and make-up nicely, pale adds a subtlety to the look. I think subtlety is what being contemporary is about." (Text: Agencies/Photo: APH Images)

He is best known for his ability to infuse Indian craftsmanship and textile heritage with European tailored silhouette and we love how he has artistically blended fabrics like cotton jacquards, cotton silks, crepes and cutwork jamdanis with Swarovski crystals for the range. (Text: Agencies/Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)

We are in love! (Photo: Tashi Tobgyal)