Designer Talks: The New Age Bride By Tarun Tahiliani

By Anonymous

When we talk about traditional bridal couture, the first name that comes to our mind is renowned designer Tarun Tahiliani. The name doesn’t need any introduction. Many B-town celebrities and bride-to-be have adorned his beautiful collection. Wedstreetstyle team had gone in conversation with the man as he unfolds his idea about the modern Indian bride.

Tarun Tahiliani's Design

How fun it is to design a bridal wear for the modern bride?

Indians are on the cusp of a new way, which is a wonderful fusion of the two worlds our mind space inhabits. And this for me is the next big thing -where a true confluence in ideas results in a contemporary Indian style that is not “ethnic” or “western” but is a true synthesis and has a global identity and relevance. The brides draw their allure and confidence from The Tarun Tahiliani brand - which is a modern Indian love story, and romance is at the very centre of its aesthetic. It’s all about Indian culture, craft and for all that it stands for – opulence, romance, passion, intrigue, seduction – a clever juxtaposition of tradition with modern sensibility

What Tarun Tahiliani’s bride is like?

The Tarun Tahiliani bride and groom love quality and fit, and know that style is not just what one wears, but ‘how’ one wears it. They live in their heritage and yet are modern. They are individualistic and flexible to the changing times.

What are the top 3 bridal trends that a bride must have it in their wedding trousseau?

- There is a shift to lighter outfits. Indians now understand western principles of cut and construct, fit and finish. As Indians are exposed to international fashion they are looking more at comfort, lightness and structure rather than heavily embellished outfits that restrict movement and inhibits the fun that one would like to have at ones wedding.

- When it comes to the colour, there is no ‘it’ colour. Brides should only do and wear what suits them and they are confident carrying it off. They should choose colours according to what suits them. Bridal trends are moving away from blingy and multi-coloured ensembles to a more sophisticated palette of creams, beiges and golds with red and of course pearlised summer tones.

- Brides should be themselves and feel beautiful, by choosing what makes them feel spectacular. Choose ornate but light weight jewellery. The styling shouldn’t be too overbearing, it should reflect the woman’s personal style. If you truly believe in your emancipation, you should want to look like yourself during your wedding. That is the true spirit of being modern.

Your favourite bride so far?

For me the perfect bride is one who is confident in herself, knows what her style is and what suits her and does not get swayed by what Bollywood is wearing. She is aware of her heritage yet modern in her outlook – individualistic, flexible and self-assured.

Tarun Tahiliani's Design

What is your muse while you work for modern bride?
Fashion is my muse! Art, architecture, interiors, history, travel, Maharaja’s! My inspiration comes from many things. Sometimes it’s from beautiful inlay work I’ve seen in a fabulous monument, other times my inspiration can be something as simple as a beautiful kanjeevaram weave. Ultimately, however, my inspiration comes from India’s rich traditions of craftsmanship—particularly when it comes to things like embroideries—that we have in India. Nothing is more amazing than beautifully executed, intricate, fine technique.

The overarching Tarun Tahiliani ideology of India Modern is then considered when designing the clothes. My clothes are designed as contemporary silhouettes, which are culturally rooted and have traditional embroidery as the detailing.

Your favourite bridal couture designer?

I don’t have a favourite designer but there are many bridal designers who are doing great work.

Tell us about 1 ensemble from your collection that holds a special place in your heart?

One of the main pieces from the collection - A sunset orange and red lehenga looks resplendent with a graphical representation of a great Indian wedding procession. A trellised blouse intricately encrusted with Crystals from Swarovski combined with a paneled veil in soft tulle edgedwith delicate Chantilly lace, subtly accents the opulence of rich Indian textile, the powerful embroidery, and ornate craftsmanship while romancing the regal era in all its grandeur and sensuality.

How different is it to design for a new age bride?

The Indian woman of today has evolved and so have the garments. When it comes to Indian bridal wear there is a visible evolution. Once you get comfortable in western outfits people get used to the fit and proportion so they start enjoying well cut and fitted clothes which are easy to move around in. As most bridal wear revolves around couture there is no fun in heavy clothes which restrict movement and come in the way of the wedding celebrations – hence the shift to lighter outfits is a key trend.

By using cuts, filling, couching and fine threadwork we too have endeavored to bring lightness to our bridal line. New styles find expression in a lightness of form, a playfulness and whimsy that moves away from royal India and the bling and bauble of the past to an effervescence and lift that brings finesse to the structures and silhouettes.

Shilpa Shetty in Tarun Tahiliani's Design

What style advice would like to give to our beautiful brides-to-be?

It’s about the person, and the personality of the bride and groom that’s of paramount importance. It is about individuality, and of course, comfort! If you’re going to be in the outfit and heavy jewellery for hours, you need to be comfortable. We lean towards the traditional and the spectacular, of course. Clothes have to have lightness and a comfort about them, because someone is going to be in it for hours. Vibrant colours and a little bit of gota and zardozi and tiny winks of Swarovski, are essential for the ideal wedding outfit, no matter what is chosen. Above all a lot of layering. Keep your make up light, be yourself and you can go never go wrong with the classics! Also plan the outfits in a way that heavy work can be removed without destroying the structure and silhouette.