The collection which was a tribute and acknowledgement of the highest bastions of culture, poetry, dance and finesse as practiced by the courtesans till a little over a century ago, had embroideries in a new avtar.
The showcasing commenced and ended with a Kathak performance by Sufi Kathak dancer Manjari Chaturvedi, who donned a peach-pink lehenga choli and dupatta embellished in swarovski.
Embellished with different shapes and sizes of Swarovski crystals, the collection was in hues of ombre, sunset ombre, yellows, creams to peaches to blues, oranges to reds, reds to pinks on fabrics like sushi voile, georgette, cotton jacquard, cotton silks, crepes and cutwork jamdanis to create light and breezy styles in draped forms.
With fusion music in the background, a huge crystal chandelier, worn out mirrored pillars and mogras looming from the ceiling added to the atmosphere.
The paneled jackets, voluminous skirts, concept saris, lehengas uplifted by opals, pearls and other crystals from swarovski interspersed with French knots and floral embroidery complemented with messy hair buns with flowers tucked on one side, the models in courtesan inspired drapes looked attractive, beautiful and earthy.
"The music for show has been actually re-sung using the lyrics as remembered by the last of the nautch artists, now in their 80s and 90s," Tahiliani told IANS.
"Acclaimed Kathak dancer of Lucknow gharana, Manjari Chaturvedi, whose devotion to Sufi Kathak and tireless work in preservation of this tradition and restoration of some dignity through an appreciation of that refinement and craft is being appreciated. That world is lost. It was not, what we are used to seeing depicted in commercial cinema," Tahiliani added.
The male models flaunted Tahiliani's cream hued creations reminiscing the time when the well-dressed and handsome, rich nawabs visited kothas to see the courtesans and dancers perform.
Speaking about the collection and the courtesan theme Chaturvedi said: "It was spectacular the way Tarun brought in an old tradition in a modern format. The courtesans themselves were style icons who lead the fashion scene so many years back.
"I am so happy Tarun brought the tradition, look back to let people know that courtesans were great artists," she added.
Other designers from the Indian fashion fraternity like Reynu Taandon, Rimple and Harpreet Narula, Rahul Mishra, Anamika Khanna, Varun Bahl, Gaurav Gupta, Manav Gangwani and Rohit Bal will be showcasing their latest collection at the five-day event, which concludes on July 24.
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