Team India’s sportsmen will don a kurta bundi set, while the sportswomen will be dressed in matching saris that reflect the tri-colour flag at the opening ceremony of the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024 on July 26. The outfits, designed by the king of drapes, Tarun Tahilian i, feature ikat-inspired prints, Banarasi brocade and marry craftsmanship with brand Tasva’s (Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd’s ready-to-wear label menswear) ‘India Modern’ ethos. While the kurta bundi set is crafted from lightweight moss cotton, ensuring breathability and comfort, the sari, a symbol of grace and cultural identity, is re-imagined in viscose crepe for a natural drape and paired with a high-neck blouse.
Both outfits have digitally printed saffron-and-green panels, inspired from ikat. Tarun Tahiliani with Anjum Moudgil| Photo Credit:Special Arrangement “Paris can be very hot in July,” says Tarun, over a phone call from Delhi, adding that his first concern was to design attire that is airy, lightweight, and perfectly suited for the weather. “They are going to be wearing it for three hours.
At 40-degree Celsius, how to make them look good? So, we focused on cottons and kept synthetics aside. I wanted them to be natural. I think natural fabrics represent India, don’t you think?” he asks.
As the athletes sail past the Seine during the opening ceremony, they will carry a piece of India with them, making a bold statement in the fashion capital of the world. “It truly reflects.