THE Pioneer

Tarun Tahiliani has helped shape the contours of Indian fashion for more than a quarter of a century. He spoke to Phyllida Jay about moving in a new direction that’s really about taking a more considered approach

- Phyllida Jay

Tahiliani’s eponymous brand turns 25 this year, and it’s 33 years since he co-founded Ensemble, India’s first multi-brand boutique, with his sister Tina. (Ensemble recently also launched an online store.) He’s combined a business management degree from Wharton Business School with an associate degree from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology to build businesses that have helped propel the growth of Indian fashion over the past three decades.

When we met earlier in the year, a book launch and events to celebrate 25 years in the business were planned. Now, like everything, these plans have been put on hold for 2020.

Speaking on the phone in early May, Tahiliani reflects on the fallout of Covid-19, despairing at the way it’s left millions of daily wage labourers across India stranded with no food and no way of getting home. Along with two other factories in Gurugram, Tahiliani’s offices have been distributing food to some 2,700 people in the area every day.

“We’ve been doing it for the last 45 days. These aren’t people we employ or know, but we’ll have to keep on doing it. These people are desperate, daily wage labourers who’ve been left with nothing. They’ve been left to starve with zero support from the government. It’s utter chaos,” says the designer.