Last Word

One of the founding members of luxury fashion in India, Tarun Tahiliani proves he’s still got game.

- Shivangi Lolayekar

At the GQ Men of the Year Awards this year, Tarun Tahiliani walked in punctually at 8:30pm, and spent the next hour unleashing his quick wit and infectious charm on the many illustrious people in the room, many of whom were friends and peers. Tahiliani was winning the Fashion Legend award for an impressive career: inventing luxury retail in India with Ensemble over 30 years ago, and continuing to be a potent force in the couture space today. Upon his felicitation, Tahiliani, in true form, kickstarted his speech by alluding to the name of the award he was receiving; the fact that it was GQ’s 10th anniversary; and to jazz diva Sonia Saigal’s rendition of “I Will Survive” (the performance preceded his award). “I’m so old,” he said to a roaring audience. That he cuts a towering figure in Indian fashion – and not just for his booming voice and stature – is common knowledge.

But what TT also brings to the runway is his inimitable ability to cut between his pedigreed South Mumbai upbringing and the multiple hours he’s spent with karigars and embroiderers in the small towns of India. In turn, his clothes are a heady combination of luxury and craftsmanship that remain on point for a present generation hungry for bona fide couture.

What’s exciting about menswear right now?

Finally, no one’s ashamed of dressing up. Menswear was stiff and structured, but today there are no rules. Guys are excited about what they’re wearing and it helps that they’re a lot fitter and have a “don’t give a damn” attitude. Even my kids will take the effort when they attend their friends’ weddings.

Do they take your advice?