Crystal Gazing

Anyone who knows Tarun Tahiliani will also be aware of the fact that the ace designer likes to work at his own pace. This is also why at a time when the major couturiers of the country are getting ready to show off their high-end wares at the Delhi Couture Week,Tahiliani does his own couture tour — he just wrapped up a two-day couture exposition in Mumbai.

Held at the city’s Mehboob Studios on August 6 and 7,after a successful three-day run in Delhi,the fourth edition of his exposition was,predictably,an opulent affair. Greeting the guests at the entry was the glass box with the main ensemble or the centrepiece outfit — a lehenga-choli and dupatta studded with pearls,stones and crystallised Swarovski elements — that took over 4,000 man hours to complete. Further down was the glass maze that had bridal wear — both for men and women — modelled on a total of 35 mannequins. “I strongly feel that with couture collections,the best showcase is not a fashion week but a platform such as this. At a show,one can barely see the intricate details,the stones and the embroidery on the garment whereas an exposition allows you to take a closer look at the product you are buying. So,it makes more sense for me to do such an event,” he reasoned.

The design and feel of the exposition represented a glass wonderland of sorts. Decked up mannequins — they even had jewellery pieces on — and large TV screens showing audio-visuals of models in TT’s creations enthralled his guests.

The silhouettes,in typical TT-style,scored big on their draping — be it a sari with a zipper skirt or an anarkali that doubled up as a gown. The menswear had interesting combinations too. For instance,a bandhgala was paired with dhoti pants.

Tahiliani,on his part,was both excited and tired. “The response has been great and I am overwhelmed with orders. I am also very happy with this setting. When I decide on a particular setting,I want to ensure that it will do justice to my creations. Here,it did just that,” he explained.