Milan fashion show was big highlight for me: Tarun Tahiliani

How excited are you for the store launch in Kolkata?

If Kolkata finishes things on time, I would be little more excited. Everything ran so late. But I am excited. It is always great to open a store in a new destination. I think we are running our company much better. Though it might take a bit of time but I am certain it is going to do well. Unlike any other Indian city, Kolkata has the extremes of everything. It was the English capital; it became the Communist capital (Communist Party ruled in Bengal for long) in a way; it has the vibrant Bengali culture which is still one of the strongest things and overall it is a dichotomy. Also Kolkata is the gateway to Bangladesh, Nepal and Odisha. It is huge and bustling.

Are people in Kolkata conservative when it comes to fashion?

People in Kolkata don't jump at new things like in Delhi where there are all migrants. Bengali people are so rooted, they speak their language at home, eat such foods.  I have dressed some of the best brides and they were all Marwaris and Punjabis but very rarely a Bengali. I think Bengal values quality because they know the craftsmanship.

What kind of clothes are we going to see in your store here?

All the things I normally do. I am not doing anything special for Calcutta (Kolkata).

How do you see the transition of fashion in Bengal?

I know Kolkata is also very strong in handloom and printing. Here we see people wearing kurtas with block printings which is not seen in other cities. I don't know much about how the fashion has changed in the state. But I think Indians are getting homogeneous. The current generation is changing the fashion as it is more global and embracing different things.

Tell us about your journey a bit. Were you determined to come to this profession from the very beginning?

No no. I didn't even know there is such a profession. Initially, I went to business school to keep my father happy and slowly I came and started a store called Ensemble. From that, I reached here.

Amid all successes, did you ever feel low in your career?

I think two to three years back, I really felt I need to reinvent myself. After turning 54-55, I began questioning whether I will be relevant or are we going to get carried away. We don't use Bollywood that much. But I just went at redefining ourselves.

Any day when you felt you are the best?

All days are best but I remember walking down the ramp in Milan. The kind of ovation I got, I thought 'wow'. When I started, I never thought that I would be able to have a solo designer show in Milan. The event was a big highlight for me.

How challenging  is it to blend Indian and European designs which you do always?

It is not tough. I speak English despite being an Indian. I am a blend and I do the same thing. I will always be a blend.

Any pressure of innovating designs time and again? How do you deal with it?

Very high pressure. But I don't feel it because I love it. Discipline, exposure, travel and keeping mind full of vitality are the ways to deal with such a pressure.

How do you detoxify yourself?

Upasana, spa and sitting in silence are the best ways to detoxify.

Any guidelines for the young generation who are willing to come to this profession?

It is a very hard work. I would suggest them not to just look at the models on the ramp. It is not that at all. It is very hard work.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)