Tarun Tahiliani’s Quintessence at Hyundai ICW 2025: A Whisper of Luxury, Handcrafted with Emotion

A grand celebration, a festival of fashion that will be remembered by fashion enthusiasts for days to come, the fourth day of Hyundai India Couture Week 2025, in association with Reliance brands, an initiative of FDCI, was marked by timeless elegance as Tarun Tahiliani opened with his soulful collection.

Quintessence was not just embellished garments put on display to make a statement, but a celebration in itself, of design, opulence and exquisite craftsmanship. The collection was couture in its purest form. A whisper of luxury, handcrafted with emotion where every detail on each of the pieces from his collection speaks with intention.

There were no exaggerated embellishments or heavy drapes, but only pearls and crystals and resham threads weaving the narrative of a reimagined bridalwear. With a sense of lightness, the showcase had unfolded like a sunrise over the ocean, in light sparkling colours and palettes with notes of ivory, beige and soft gold that bloomed into romantic pinks and misty rose.

A modern bride’s star-studded dream, Tarun Tahiliani’s quintessence is a collaboration with de Gournay, a British heritage brand that created the world’s finest handmade wallcoverings. With de Gournay’s bespoke suite of 22 ‘Early views of India’ panels, hand-painted on Ivory Tea Paper that took more than 120 hours to create, Tarun Tahiliani made more than just a statement. He redefined fashion as a reflection of personal artistry.

The highlight of the duo’s collaboration was the couture jacket, a one-of-a-kind piece crafted out of a hand-painted custom silk panel designed with the contemporary bride in mind who values comfort, creativity and craftsmanship. 

Each ensemble from the collection was an expression in itself. In a world that has always looked forward to the next best thing, Tarun Tahiliani’s new collection brings forth a question to the idea of newness with his refined silhouettes that perfectly sculpt and drape without excess. A heritage reimagined, Quintessence for those who want to feel light, present and truly themselves without the burden of going over the top.

The evening was marked by Tahiliani’s wedding looks that screamed main character energy that gave a regal elegance, but in the most wearable ways. From sheer sarees to intricately embroidered lehengas, the pieces were a dream come true for brides who seek luxury and elegance but do not want it to weigh them down on their big day. 

An ode to craft, clarity and the brides of today, Quintessence was exactly as the name suggests, an essence of the designer’s aesthetics. The craftsmanship of the collection spoke fluently through the fine chikankari, the soft resham, delicate kasheedakari, shaded threadwork, intricate jaali, and whisper-light zardozi embroidery adorned panels of tulle, satin, organza, lace, and Bandhini.

Quintessence was not just a mere collection of 95 looks but a mirror to who Tarun Tahiliani is and what he perceived from the idea of fashion, and how he wanted people to experience it. It represented a bridalwear reimagined for a generation that seeks lightness and less pretense in the name of legacy.

A nostalgic touch to the show, the music was complementary to the concept of Tahiliani’s awe-inspiring collection as ‘Made in India’ played in the background, denoting Tarun Tahiliani’s legacy and his journey in the fashion industry over the last 30 years.

Powered by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), this year’s Hyundai India Couture Week 2025-held in association with Reliance Brands Ltd-will run through July 30, 2025. After the last three displays, the week is still gearing up to witness the fashion prowess of some of India's biggest names in the fashion world as these couturists take the centre stage, including JJ Valaya, Rohit Bal, Aisha Rao, Rimzin Dadu and more.