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At Tarun Tahiliani’s magnificent second parade at Art Mumbai, fashion, art, and tradition come together to honour India’s cultural heritage.
Tarun Tahiliani’s Parade Edition 2 at Art Mumbai mesmerizingly captures the essence of India. (Image: Instagram)
The second annual Tarun Tahiliani Parade honours India’s rich artistic legacy, which has served as the backdrop against which the brand has showcased its collections for the past thirty years. This comes after the awe and admiration of the inaugural parade at Art Mumbai last year. By combining performing arts from around the nation and contrasting them with the craftspeople’s creations through our ensembles, each act is more than simply a show; it is a manifestation of India’s limitless spirit, where tradition, fashion, and art all coexist.
Beyond just fashion, the second Tarun Tahiliani Parade is a celebration of culture and a tribute to our heritage, combining all of Indian tales about textiles, art, embroidery, tailoring, mythology, and more from Couture, his recently launched luxury pret brand OTT, as well as jewellery and accessories displayed in a tableau presentation that is larger than life.
The magnificent sight of a Pegasus, a representation of virtue and boundless creativity, unveiled the procession. With an apsara in the air, this legendary figure personifies the studio’s guiding creative energy. Together, they fly, transporting us to a place where art and dreams coexist harmoniously and beckoning viewers into an infinite universe.
The parade then proceeded to the world of the cosmic dancer Natraj. This scene captured the dynamic energy of movement, growth, and grace that has come to define the brand. It also combined India’s ancient association with textiles with the evolving draped figure and all of its twists and folds. Inspired by the drapes of ancient India, the clothing here was sculptural and flowing. Standing as a potent representation of the cycle of creation and destruction, a 16-foot statue of Natraj, lord of dance and endless rhythm, dispelling darkness to reveal light.
After, the procession entered Bloom, a lyrical ode to the fleeting beauty of nature as shown in the brand’s current Bloom Collection. This area, which features delicate embroidery, pearls, and exquisite threadwork, is inspired by flowers in full bloom and capitalises on the fleeting beauty of petals. Here, Keats’ statement, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever,” is spot on. Each item is designed to honour the ephemeral beauty of nature while promoting a conscientious fashion philosophy that values durability and environmental stewardship.
The following scenario has yet another brand staple: the crystal-encrusted pieces that depict the wonders of the heavens, influenced by myths and the radiance of starry skies, with dancers glistening like constellations, bringing to mind the enchantment of jugnus (fireflies) in the moonlight. These elaborate patterns tell a tale of light, mystery, and enduring tradition when combined.
This journey then transcends in Pichwai, a key component of the brand that has been reimagined through elaborate embroidery and patterns. These devotional paintings have always evoked awe for the god Krishna. By combining understated tone with monochromatic elegance, the brand has given this art form new life while honouring its historical roots in a contemporary story.
The procession honours later Thayyam, a highly regarded ritual art form from North Kerala, in a smooth transition. This expressive practice commemorates heroes and ancient spirits while elevating tribal beliefs via the merging of dance, mime, and music. Together with this stirring performance, we offer a range of reds, from wedding to contemporary, showing styles that blend India’s many traditions. In order to create a vision of modern bridal attire and introduce new customs for the modern day, we fuse Hindu and Islamic craftsmanship through cloth and embroidery.
The procession showcases The Sari in its most authentic form, adorned with a modern twist, bringing us back to the core of our past. These amazing asli zari weaving, which are reminiscent of our blossoming chintz tale, were created by expert artisans in Kanchipuram and are worn with an unusual shirt. The sari regains its position as the quintessential representation of Indian culture, bringing our procession back to its roots while honouring its changing history. This tribute to the sari reimagines the fabric as a medium for contemporary expression while also taking us back to our origins.
Shiva’s sacred bull, Nandi, enters the stage as the conclusion draws closer. This sector, which symbolises happiness and devotion, incorporates modern silhouettes like bibs from our new luxury pret brand -OTT and coats with pichwai influences from Tarun Tahiliani, infusing fitted designs that strike a balance between tradition and innovation.
Vande Mataram fills the air as the procession comes to a stirring tribute to India. Isheeta Ganguly’s powerful performance, laced with Tagore’s poignant lyrics from ‘Where the Mind is Without Fear.’ This last act pays homage to our motherland, which has greatly influenced our culture and bestowed to us an amazing legacy of craft, culture, and significance.
