BT Exclusive: Guest Editor Tarun Tahiliani Talks About The Brides Who Inspire Him
From Grace Kelly’s restrained elegance to his mother’s simple tissue sari, Tarun Tahiliani gets candid about the brides who continue to motivate him.hy.
TARUN TAHILIANI'S MOTHER
“My parents married in 1960. When I first saw this image of my mother, it cracked me up. I said, ‘Mother, you’re pretending to be demure, which is not a good thing!’” But I liked how her look was traditional and simple. She’s wearing a plain tissue sari and a lot of jewellery, but nothing fights it. Even in colour, the look is pared back because her jewellery was only pearls, with a few coloured stones. This is what women, especially Sindhi women, wore at that time. Nobody in our family has ever worn lehengas, because they all just wore a sari. Sal [his wife, Sailaja Tahiliani] kind of followed suit.”
GRACE KELLY
“I remember the intricate embroidery of Grace Kelly’s wedding gown that was designed by Helen Rose—she looked magnificent. I think she made a very statuesque and elegant bride by styling herself in a clean and simple way. Her makeup resonated the same tone that made her look so graceful—a true extension of herself.”
TARUN TAHILIANI'S WEDDING
“Our wedding was slightly chaotic. It was one big reception. We lived abroad so we barely knew people who would come, except like six of our friends. My dad was in the navy, and I remember we were trying to save money. We were just overwhelmed at this reception. So, when Rajiv Gandhi showed up, my arms fell. I said to him, ‘Thank God, you’ve come because no one wants to shake my hand. You stand there and let them shake your hand, no one’s interested in me’.” And he cracked up.