After more than three decades of redefining Indian couture, Tarun Tahiliani is challenging not just how fashion is made, but how it is experienced. This season at Hyundai India Couture Week, the designer steps away from the traditional runway to present Navaratna—an immersive exhibition that invites guests to slow down, engage with craftsmanship up close, and discover the artistry behind every garment. Blending centuries-old Indian artisanal traditions with thoughtful technological interventions, Navaratna reimagines couture as an experience rather than a spectacle. In this conversation with Manifest, Tahiliani speaks about the inspiration behind the collection, the decision to move beyond the catwalk, and why the future of luxury lies in creating deeper connections between craft, culture and the audience.
Manifest: Tell us about your new collection.
Tarun Tahiliani: Navaratna , meaning "nine jewels", celebrates the many facets of the Tarun Tahiliani atelier. Rather than telling a single story, the collection brings together multiple expressions of couture, each reflecting a distinct language of craftsmanship, textile innovation and design. Every garment represents countless hours of artisanal work, interpreted through the lens of India Modern, where heritage and contemporary design exist in constant conversation. More importantly, this season is about changing how couture is experienced. I wanted people to spend time with the garments, to discover the intricacies of the embroidery, the precision of the construction and the extraordinary skill behind every piece, rather than seeing them pass by for a few fleeting moments.
M: This season, you've chosen to move away from the traditional runway format. What prompted this shift, and why did this feel like the right moment to redefine how couture is presented?
TT: I've always felt there was a contradiction in the way couture is presented. We spend months creating garments that embody hundreds of hours of craftsmanship, yet they're often viewed for only a few seconds on a runway. I began asking myself whether there was a better way to experience couture, one that brought people closer to the work itself. That question became the starting point for Navaratna . After more than three decades of building the house, it felt like the right moment to rethink not the couture itself, but the way we invite people into its world. This exhibition allows guests to engage with the collection at their own pace, making the experience more intimate, immersive and ultimately more meaningful.
M: Do you believe the conventional fashion show has become limiting for couture, especially when the true value lies in the craftsmanship that often gets lost in a few seconds on the runway?
TT: I wouldn't say the runway has become limiting. It remains one of fashion's most powerful forms of storytelling. What I do believe is that couture deserves multiple ways of being experienced. A runway captures movement, energy and emotion beautifully, but it doesn't always allow you to appreciate the extraordinary detail that defines couture.This presentation simply offers another perspective. It encourages people to slow down, look closely and understand the immense craftsmanship behind every garment. Sometimes the smallest details tell the biggest story.
M: Navaratna is positioned as an immersive experience rather than a show. What emotions or takeaways do you hope guests leave with that a conventional runway cannot offer?
TT: I hope people leave with a renewed appreciation for the hands behind the garments. Luxury isn't only about beauty. It's about knowledge, patience and extraordinary skill. When guests have the opportunity to stand just a few feet away from a garment, they begin to understand the complexity of its construction and the craftsmanship that makes it unique. If they leave feeling a deeper emotional connection to Indian craft and a greater respect for the artisans who preserve these traditions, then we've achieved what we set out to do.
M: Your showcase brings together projection mapping, digital installations and multimedia storytelling alongside traditional craftsmanship. How do you ensure technology enhances, rather than overshadows, the handmade?
TT: Technology should never become the protagonist. Craftsmanship must always remain at the centre of the story. We've approached technology as a framing device. The projections, sound, movement and digital environments create atmosphere and context, but they always lead your eye back to the garments. Their role is to deepen the emotional experience, not compete with the embroidery, textiles or artisanship. For me, innovation is most successful when it quietly elevates tradition rather than trying to replace it.
M: Indian couture is rooted in centuries-old artisanal practices. How important is it today to use new-age technology to keep these traditions relevant for younger luxury consumers?
TT: Technology is simply another language of communication. Younger audiences experience culture very differently today. They're visually literate, digitally connected and expect experiences that are immersive and engaging. If technology can help tell.