Tarun Tahiliani Celebrates 30 Years in Fashion with Stunning ICW 2025 Showcase
A Grand Return to the Runway
Renowned Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani celebrated three decades in the fashion industry with a spectacular return to the runway during the Hyundai India Couture Week (ICW) 2025. His latest collection, named Quintessence, served as a regal homage to Indian heritage, reinterpreted through a contemporary and personal lens. The event took place at The Oberoi in the capital, showcasing intricate craftsmanship, elegant silhouettes, and an aura of luxury, all characteristic of Tahiliani’s signature ‘India Modern’ style.
Innovative Indian Bridal Couture
The Quintessence collection provided a novel take on bridal fashion, merging traditional techniques with modern designs. The lineup featured a color palette of ivories, antique golds, deep reds, and soft pastels, with each piece more opulent and carefully crafted than the last. A highlight was a blush saree embellished with 3D floral embroidery, paired with a corset-style blouse that balanced delicacy with boldness. Another standout was a muted grey lehenga, complemented by a cropped blouse and a long, richly adorned jacket, blending elegance with innovation.
Striking Menswear Designs
The menswear segment was equally impressive, showcasing sharply tailored sherwanis and bandhgalas crafted from luxurious fabrics and intricate embroidery. A notable piece was a sleek black sherwani that exuded understated elegance and royal charm. Each outfit in the collection achieved a perfect balance between lightweight construction and visual richness, reflecting Tahiliani’s ongoing journey as a designer who honors tradition while continually reimagining it.
A Nostalgic Finale
The show concluded with a nostalgic finale, as models graced the runway to the iconic 1995 pop hit ‘Made in India’ by Alisha Chinai. This track, which became a cultural sensation, encapsulated the essence of Quintessence—confident, proud, and unapologetically Indian. Tahiliani expressed his thoughts on the song, stating, “It’s a visceral process... I wanted to end on something that resonates with our identity. That line—‘Japan se Russia’—is cheeky, fun, and deeply relevant. We should embrace who we are.”
From Business to Fashion
Reflecting on his 30-year career, Tahiliani shared insights into his unconventional entry into fashion, which began after earning his business degree from the Wharton School in the United States. “I jumped right in, eager to learn—embroidery, tailoring, everything. I couldn’t be Dior or Galliano; I had to carve out my own identity,” he remarked. He fondly recalled the moment he informed his father, Admiral R H Tahiliani, about his decision to pursue a career in design. “My father asked, ‘I sent you to Wharton, and you want to be a tailor?’” he laughed. “Later, he joked that everyone knows him as ‘Tarun Tahiliani’s father.’ I told him, ‘Just tell them you’re the dad of a tailor.’ He didn’t find it amusing, but I thought it was cute.”