Tarun Tahiliani Gives the Ottoman Style a Modern Twist

Tarun Tahiliani's WIFW 2012 collection screams multicultural eclecticism, it straddles Indian and western design sensibilities pretty well. Designed around the magnificence of the Ottoman Empire, it draws inspiration from the art, architecture, textiles, armor and culture. The clothes combin with old-world romanticism and modern technology, and many pieces capture motifs of the Topkapi museum in Istanbul.

Here's a break down of Tahiliani's WIFW collection:
 
Collection 1: Sculpt and Strap

This collection consists of highly constructed pieces inspired from the bridle and chest straps used in medieval Turkey. Gilt work and pave stones embellish the pieces in a subtle yet eye-catching manner.
 
Collection 2: Sublime Austerity

Oversized motifs of tulips, carnations and elongated cypress motifs reminiscent of Islamic architecture have been used by Tahiliani liberally here. The key techniques include embossing, lace insets and cording in classic jewel tones of wine dregs, black and old rose oxidised, beaten, weathered looks in dull gold and silver zari on velvet make vintage fashionable.
 
Collection 3: Broken Tapestries

A number of variations and techniques have been transmitted to this collection - Turkish carpet prints superimposed with Tahiliani's trademark motif and then weathered and blurred. Engineered and asymmetric pieces have been patched and pieced in the brands signature printing in rich jewel tones of blue and indigo.

Party People

(L-R) Designers Nida Mehmood, Anand Kabra and Arjun Saluja, Gaurav Gupta. Image courtesy: Viral Bhayani

While his collections were so elaborate, we're guessing the party was too. Smoke House Deli hosted a post-show party for designers from Tokyo Fashion Week on Saturday. The party glittered with Indian designers including Gaurav Gupta, Nida Mehmood, Anand Kabra and Arjun Saluja, FDCI president Sunil Sethi, Japanese designer Keya Hara and a few others from Japanese fashion industry.