Tarun Tahiliani designs ceremonial outfits for Team India at the Paris Olympics 2024

Tarun Tahiliani designs ikat-inspired prints for sportspersons representing team India at the opening ceremony of Paris Olympics 2024

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 Tahiliani, 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.

“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 India modern vision, the evolution of Indian fashion and the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with innovative design concepts. The uniform that we created for the athletes is very Indian but global, which is actually the vibe of India right now.”

The design also incorporates the Ashoka Chakra symbolised as blue buttonholes on an ivory base representing peace and unity. The dresses have been paired with gold trainers embellished with traditional Banaras brocade presented in a contemporary way. “I did my research and learnt that India, unlike the rest of the countries, did not dress sportsmen and sportswomen in tri-colour at the ceremony. We added patch pockets. We used safari and hunting details, which I think scandalised the committee a bit when they first saw it. In today’s world, the sportsmen are like our warriors going out to hunt and bring us trophies, like gladiators of Rome. I approached it that way.” 

Elaborting on the ikat-inspired panels, he says artisans in each region derive their own variations through textiles. “Be it Pochampalli, the home of Andhra ikat in South India, the patolas of Gujarat, or the Sambalpuri weaves of Odisha —it’s a medium that is universal to India and hence the decision to use ikat-inspired prints in the ceremonial dress made sense. We didn’t want to put together something from each state. We are not doing a patchwork for clowns! We went about designing panels that look smart and elegant.”

He adds, the decision to use gold brocade with the ivory dress showcased a quintessential colour combination that is unique to India and suits every skin tone. The brocade sneakers are also meant to stand out. “Though bright colours also work on Indian skin, ivory became the predominant colour. That’s why we put in a lot of tailoring details. The breast pocket of the bundi has the classic Olympic logo embroidered on it, with India and her flag emblazoned on top of the five circles. I wanted to dress the women in a bundi and tights, a sporty version of the tights and short kurta. But, the committee felt a sari is representative of India.”