Indian women have more time, money for Couture: Tarun Tahiliani

New Delhi: Fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani who inaugurated his ``Bridal Couture Exposition`` here today, says Indian women have all the time and money in the world to spend on lavish outfits unlike in the West. Talking about the future of ``couture`` in India, Tahiliani said it won`t die out here like in the West since women in our country have the time to spend on luxury. "There is a huge emerging wealthy class in India and women here the have time to spend. They want pomp and perfection.

It died out in the west because it`s very expensive and they don`t have the time," said Tahiliani. His Bridal Expo comes at the same time that the first Couture Week is happening in the capital. Tahiliani said he wants to popularise Indian culture with his collection but with a countemporary touch to suit the taste of modern India. "I was planning to do my show before the Couture Week but was not well. My collection is about popularising Indian culture with a modern touch. I am western and Indian at the same time," said Tahiliani. The collection for both men and women, drew influence from traditional India like the mughal period and handcrafted techniques. "I have used bright colours but it`s still every toned. I want to tell that you don`t need to experiment too much as you are not in a costume play," Tahiliani said after the show. The special occasion outfits like sherwanis, sarees, anarkali kurta, choli and lehangas in a range of silhouttes used elements of gota, bandhni and zardosi, interspersed with crystal, applique and mirrors. "It`s very royal but modern. The Mughal touch is beautiful, since it was the last culture, it is much more visible," Tahiliani said. The designer admits that today the saree is not so popular among Indian women and it is upto the fashion fraternity to make it suitable for contemporary tastes. "Indian women are scared to wear sarees and a designer has to respond and create what society feels about. Saree is so beautiful, has so much grace, why are we giving it out? My whole idea is to make it contemporary. I am planning to drape it in khadi to make it more comfortable," he said. Tahilini created a perfect ambience for a wedding with dancers, music, a luxury car, dummy wedding guests and even had an artificial elephant. But to his disappointment, the elephant was not allowed to be kept in the show area due to some problems with the authorities. PTI