Their are a very few couturiers who have the knack of creating magical moments on the ramp ‘every single time’! Tarun Tahiliani is one of those veterans. He knows the power of glamour, he understands the charisma of crystals and he definitely excels in making bridal trousseau look like a million dollar dream.

This reason being that from his show at the FDCI India Couture Week 2016, nothing less could be expected. He, once again, engulfed us on in a dreamy parade to the (this time) Mughal Era with his collection titled ‘The Last Dance of the Courtesan’. The entire show felt like a snippet of Pakeezah, the movie.

To heighten the mood of this mesmerising event Tahiliani collaborated with dance stalwart Manjari Chaturvedi, a leading exponent of classical dance in India who has revolutionised kathak.

Manjari brought alive the inspiration behind this collection with her ‘Darbari Kathak’ representing ‘The Dance of the Courtesan’, a tribute, to the woman and her art, the music and the dance she performed, a rich legacy, a precious heritage.

Tarun Tahiliani’s latest couture collection “The Last Dance of the Courtesan” is a tribute, and acknowledgement to the highest bastions of culture, poetry, dance and finesse. The atelier weaves a story where sensuality meets sensibility, and mystery unravels itself in surreptitious layers with seductive glory.

The collection explores the possibility of a wearable lightness of being for the contemporary diva, with inspirations drawn from the finery of the courtesans.

“As usual it’s been my privilege to be associated with Swarovski, world leaders in crystal technology. As fashion, even couture becomes more hightech, they add the sparkle of dreams and the aurora borealis to the seduction of contemporary couture. Since couture must adhere to the highest standards of craft and perfection it is only befitting that the crystals are Swarovski.” – Tarun Tahiliani

The new couture collection encapsulates the allure of the fabled Indian Courtesan, sadly misrepresented in most of Bollywood as “fallen women” – In fact they were the custodians of beauty, fashion, poetry, dance and music. Their ascendant star shone even brighter when in favour with royal patronage bringing the highest light through poetry, dance, song and more –

so also we choose to use the sheerest fabrics in tulle, sheer silks and light brocades mixed with fine thread work and crystals with contemporary notions of cut – the sleeveless anarkali as jump suit, the corsetted kurta drape, the shararas with tulle and gota, Swarovski crystals encrusted opal sarees, Mother of pearl carved blocks with chikankari sarees and draped brocade lehengas, to be paired with shirts and tops. A modern ease. Bowing to our splendid history, we reference the past but, we live in this moment.

Invoking sophisticated seduction and lending an elegant luxury is the colour palette, which is dominated by shades of romantic pastels in beige, blush pink, peaches, jade and ivory. Precisely paneled jackets, dreamy voluminous skirts, concept-sarees and statement-making lehengas are uplifted by opals, pearls and other Crystals from Swarovski interspersed with French knots and floral embroidery.

A blush pink jacket embellished with mother-of-pearl with a sprinkling of floral motifs, bodysuit and skirt embellished with Swarovski crystals adds the right amount of flirty flair and modernity.

A sunset orange and red lehenga looks divine with a graphical representation of a great Indian wedding procession. Trellised blouses intricately encrusted with crystal are combined with paneled veils in soft tulle, edged with delicate Chantilly lace, subtly throwing into accent the opulence of fine Indian workmanship with powerful embroideries in celebration of the grandeur of India’s traditional artisanal crafts in perfect harmony in a contemporary setting with traditional zardozi, tilla and sitara work done in the finest manner.

Images by Tarique Nadeem for www.kalapalette.com