Why use deities on clothes?

“Why should any designer use images of deities on clothes,” asks fashion designer, Tarun Tahiliani when asked about his views on his contemporaries using holy images in their designs.

“Indian people are sensitive towards such topics as compared to Westerners. And as an Indian designer one should be sensitised to this fact. I fail to understand — why hurt people’s sentiments? There are millions of things to get inspired.  Using images of Gods is purely lack of creativity,” elaborates the designer who’s ready with his third edition of the bridal exposition.

Talking about change in Indian bridal wear, he says, “Firstly, wedding events have changed. This generation is very specific about construction and quality. In the past, bridal wear was meant to be heavy even at the cost of comfort. But today it is very important that the outfit is comfy and should suit the wearer’s persona more than anything else. Besides, women, today, prefer to wear evening gowns for wedding occasions and engagements. So there is a variety of options.”

It is believed that smaller cities are emerging as a big market these days for luxury designers. But Tarun believes otherwise. “I don’t feel that small cities are a big market compared to metros. Yes, but for occasions like weddings, the small cities aspire to outdo metros as there is enough money in small cities too. But it’s still on the fringes. Business, even today, is from metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmadabad,” explains Tarun.