HDIL India Couture Week 2008

TARUN'S distinctive signature style has evolved as a fusion of textile detail, refined luxury, and meticulous tailoring since the launch of his design studio in 1990.

TT (as he is affectionately known) creates couture, diffusion, prêt-a-porter and accessory lines, which are Indian in their sensibility, yet international in their appeal.

The rich heritage of the subcontinent is reinvented as contemporary high fashion, using Indian craftsmanship and the finest textiles; along with Italian pattern cutting and construction and new technologies such as digital textile printing.

Essentially, it is the exuberant and richly detailed, structured drape that represents Tahiliani's modern, Indian woman.

Tahiliani started his professional career with a degree in Business Management from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. After returning to India, he saw the vast potential in the fine clothing and couture industry that was evolving in the country, and in 1987, he opened India's first upmarket boutique, Ensemble, heralding a fashion and retail revolution in India. In 1991, Tahiliani decided to hone his technical knowledge in design, and received an associate degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.

His first solo show was held in September, 1994, in London. Since then, he has shown countless collections at home and around the world. In September 2003, he was the first Indian designer invited to showcase his work at the prestigious Milan Fashion Week and has since shown collections in New York, London, Milan, Tokyo, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Moscow, South Africa and Karachi.

With his design studio based in New Delhi, he has established his presence in prestigious boutiques worldwide. Milan, the fashion centre of refined luxury, showcases Tahiliani's creations in its boutiques and in top stores such as Mumbai Se (Singapore), Tabla (Hong Kong), Fine and Rhine (Hong Kong), Mimosa (Riyadh), Harvey Nicholas (Riyadh), Glamour (Doha, Qatar), Garbo (United Kingdom), Khubsoorat (United Kingdom), Sunmotoyama (Japan), Saaya Boutique (Japan), Elahe (Hyderabad), Evolusione (Chennai), Samsaara (Delhi), Mebaz (Hyderabad), Moda In and Zenia (Kuwait), Kimaya, Fea and Mumbai Se (Dubai) along with his flagship stores -- Tarun Tahiliani Boutique, Ensemble in New Delhi and Mumbai and Kimaya in Mumbai.

In 2004, Tahiliani was awarded the Moet and Chandon Fashion Tribute Award for Designer of the Year for India and was invited to represent India in Hong Kong. He was also awarded the 2004 F Award for Best Women's Designer for Couture. He is an office-bearer and founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India.

Tarun Tahiliani's international events in 2005 included the Milan Fashion Weeks in February, and other events and fundraisers. Aishwarya Rai, Goldie Hawn, Jemima Khan, Minal Modi, Saif Ali Khan are his esteemed clients.

In 2006 the Italian ministry of Foreign Affairs conferred the prestigious award 'Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity' on Tarun Tahiliani. The 'Fashion' Awards voted Tarun Tahiliani to be the best Women's Wear Couture Designer and he was also awarded the Life Time Achievement Award for contribution to Indian Fashion.

This year the TT Design Studio will move into its new Design Headquarters. Designed by Stephan Paumier, this 45000 square feet structure will be home to a vast repertoire of skills and applications that span the design process.

In addition, this year will see the opening of the first super flagship Tarun Tahiliani store at the DLF Emporio Mall in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. This will be the first store of its kind to merchandise the entire collection -- women's, men's and accessories. Tahiliani's new line of semi precious jewellery will also be a permanent feature at this location, along with new services.

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