Tarun Tahiliani on Olympics uniform row: ‘I stand by my design, it was appreciated in Paris, let people say what they want’

Tahiliani further said that every designer had to follow a set of guidelines put out by the Indian Olympic Committee (IOC). “Many things got changed at the last minute. I accept people can have their views. I am good with that but I stand by what we did. We wanted the team in the colours of the tricolour as most countries follow their flag and that’s all that was visible from afar. Hence the design. I would do it again with a little more colour as we saw the athletes from far away,” he added.

Responding to criticism over why he used cotton and why he saved his energies for couture, Tahiliani said, “Paris can be boiling hot in July. That’s why the athletes were in cotton and viscose crepe so that athletes could breathe easily. I used contemporary silhouettes of the Bundi jacket and the pre-pleated saree. They are not only comfortable and functional but also represent a fine balance of tradition with modernity. It would have been easy for me to send them in zardozi vests but that choice is not appropriate for the occasion.”

As for criticism that he could have used Ikat weaves instead of digital prints, the designer argued that he didn’t have the luxury of time. “Yes, we used prints because we can’t weave in three weeks for a 300-member team. It’s so ridiculous to expect that. Only the shoes were brocade from Banaras.”

He also responded to the charge that the logo of Tasva, an Aditya Birla Group brand of which he’s a part of, was used on the costumes. “There was no logo. There was a symbol that was made into a border, that’s all. And when you see the photograph, you won’t even notice it. We had originally put the Indian flag but were told one should or could not use it,” he said.

The designer strongly denied claims that Tasva paid him for designing the costumes and had its logo included in the motif. “It was not done for a fee, it was done to support our athletes. Whatever was put in was as per the guidelines of the IOC. I think sponsors are entitled to put some branding. It’s not a new idea is it? We wanted to put a flag ribbon but that was changed to a symbol,” he said. Tasva is the official dress partner for the Indian team at the Olympics.

As to whether this criticism would overshadow his outing at the India Couture Week this week, the designer said, “I am an old geyser that will roll with the punches.”