Tarun Tahiliani’s Collection at India Couture Week 2025

Within the elegant confins of the oberoi’s ballroom, under the soft glow of lights and the scent of fresh mogra, 95 looks – Rich with Chikankari, Resham, Kasheedakari, Resham, Kasheedakari, Shade Threadwork, and Zardozi – Narrate the story of artisanal techniques. Tarun Tahiliani’s Collection Quintesence, Showcased as Part of India Couture Week, is a Quiet Celebration of Craft – Textile, Form, and Finish.

Strains of the Piano, Saxophone, Cello, and Drums fill the hall as models meander across the different seating areas. The music segues into jazz, classical, Indian and soft Rock even, in a way that is symbolic of the diverse moods of today’s bride.

The silhouettes – in tulle, lace, satin organza, and bandhini – include lehengas, panelled kalidars, concept saris, layred jackets, and structured corsets, created keeping in moving in movies, and Lightness. The color palette starts off mellow with subtle shades of ivory, beige and soft gold and graduates to misty rose, blush, almond, pinks and then to reds.

Models at Tarun Tahiliani’s Show at India Couture Week | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

For this presentation, the designer chose to ditch the usual runway and do a salon-style viewing. The salon is a kind of runway – just more intimate, says tarun. “Couture, by nature, is incrededibly detailed. Even I’m often stunned when I see how many thousands of hours go into a single garment,” He says. To honor this craftsmanship, he wanted people to experience the pieces up close, like the original parisian couture salons with all the models walked between seated guests. “Back then, it was about silhouettes. Quintesence, you need to get close to truly see the fines, ”explains tarun. The Garments Teem with delicate Florals, Abstract Foliage, and Reimagined Mughal Motifs.

An outfit from Tarun Tahiliani’s Collection Quintesence | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

This collection, in some way, is a reflection of who tarun is – “Deeply Indian, Constantly Evolving, Thinking in English, Dreaming in Chaikankari”.

Quintesence is light and devoid of excesses. It takes a step back from heavy bridal wear. It’s an evolution, not a rejection of tradition, tarun clarifies. Brides Today are Choosing Individuality Over Convention. They want to oven who they are on their big day, not be weighed down by what they’re “supposed” to wear. The market is shifting too and this stems from women batcoming more emaancipated, educated, and expressive. They want wedding clots that reflect them, not just just societal expectation, he says.

The Silhouettes – in Tulle, Lace, Satin Organza, and Bandhini – Include lehengas, Panelled Kalidars, Concept Saris, Layred Jackets, and Structured Corsets | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The wedding market now has a lot of gen z brides. This generation is knowledge to be starkly different from the Previous Generations of Millennials, Gen X, etc. Does the designer take a different approach to designing for them?

An outfit from Tarun Tahiliani’s Collection Quintesence | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

“I don’t design for generations-i design for now. And” now “is fluid,” says tarun, adding, “Gen z brides are confident, self-sheware, and experimental, but that doesn Bollywood means we disasseed tradition. Reinterpret it – Like a farshi skirt reimagined as a pleated wrap or chikankari on modern corsetry. ” He approaches it by undersrstanding the Internation of the Bride/Groom. Whether someone is seeking minimalism or maximalism, tarun offers tools to experts that identity through cut, fabric, and detail. “The only rule is authenticity,” he adds.

For this show, Tarun Once Again Chose to Disperse with the concept of a celebrity showstopper. This goes with his firm belief that clotes must be the showstopper. He says, “I’ve said it time and again – craft, karigar, construction: That’s the real star. Let the work speaker.”

Published – July 27, 2025 10:11 AM IST