Tarun Tahiliani's latest collection Daswa embodies the festive mood

With the festive season in full swing, everyone is looking for unique salon options to flaunt their style. Launched by Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Limited (ABFRL) in association with Tarun Tahiliani, Dasva, a bridal and special occasion wear brand, offers a range of exclusive options for the modern Indian with great taste. In the words of Tahiliani, Design Director of Daswa, “Focused on combining comfort with elegance, Daswa redefines traditional wear with its emphasis on craftsmanship and contemporary design.”

A select audience was invited to showcase the brand's latest Fall/Winter 2024 bridal collection titled 'BAARAAT by Tasva', which was recently held at Travancore Palace, Delhi. Actor Ranbir Kapoor attended the evening event. She looked stunning in a blush pink sherwani. Indo-western kurtas, kurta bunti sets, clothing, footwear and accessories were on display.

“Daswa's 'BAARAAT' collection is inspired by the lively and vibrant Indian wedding procession, reimagined as a fashion showcase about the groom,” shares Tahiliani. Barad traditionally marks the joyous arrival of the groom at the wedding, and this fashion show explored that concept very literally with all the models participating in a lively dance at the end.

Summing up the style and charisma of a Daswa man, Ranbir Kapoor said, “It was an exhilarating experience to hit the runway in the Bharat collection, celebrating the fusion of traditional and modern style! Today's bride and groom are more than just a part of the ceremony: they are the heart of the story. The collection gave them the opportunity to express their individuality while respecting their roots. With its sumptuous structures and bold silhouettes, BAARAAT by Daswa redefines menswear and ensures that every groom's journey is unforgettable.

Many celebrities were also seen walking the ramp. These include OTT star Vihan Samad, comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi, Michelin star chef Suvir Charan and popular digital influencers including Mohawk Narang, Manav Chapra, Unnati Malharkar and Apoorva (aka 'The Rebel Kid' ). “Each of them embodies in their own way the spirit of the modern Indian groom, perfectly combining tradition with contemporary style. Their presence added a youthful and energetic energy to the show, making the 'BAARAAT by Tasva' event a true celebration of individuality and fashion. With their unique personalities, they captured the essence of Daswa's spirit, making the event even more memorable for the audience,” said Ashish Mukul, Brand Director, Daswa.

When asked about the thought process behind the collection, she shared, “The Fall/Winter 2024 bridal collection offers an exquisite range of bridal outfits designed for the modern Indian bride. The collection skillfully combines contemporary influences with traditional Indian art, drawing inspiration from Romanesque architecture, baroque opulence and abstract art. Featuring intricate shikarka and phulkari motifs, the collection brings flora and fauna to life with aari work, mirror work, zardosi embroidery and pearl embellishments.

The wide selection featured included contemporary silhouettes like angrika sherwanis, tailored tuxedo and asymmetrical designs, signifying a modern take on tradition. The color palette ranges from soft pastels like ivory, gold, pink, salmon and jade to deep jewel tones, perfect for a variety of festive occasions.

“A great Indian wedding culminates in a royal ceremony, whose heart is the groom. A modern boyfriend who comes with joy, modernity and individuality. My vision is contemporary tailoring with traditional craftsmanship, simplicity and comfort for a modern lifestyle, allowing today's youth to express their unique story through the elegant silhouettes and artistry they are accustomed to wearing in Western clothing. You want Indian clothes to be very comfortable. A dress is not something to endure, it is something you should wear on your most important day. It is a statement of self, designed for a meaningful moment, and we know the answer is taswa,” says Tahiliani.

To this Mukul added, “As a brand, our goal at Daswa has always been to make Indian designer clothing accessible to more customers. With our AW '24 bridal collection, we are delighted to offer modern brides an elegant combination of tradition and contemporary style. We are a brand for new-age men who seek sophistication and elegance in their special occasion wear, and our talented in-store stylists are always ready to help them look their best. BAARAAT by Daswa represents the culmination of our team's efforts to bring this proposal to life for the upcoming wedding season and we are very excited to finally be able to organize it.

Apart from pioneering the Daswa brand, ABFRL is part of a leading Indian conglomerate, the Aditya Birla Group. It boasts of being India's first billion-dollar fashion company with a suite of leading fashion brands and retail formats. Brands such as Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Alan Solly and Peter England have been part of its extensive collection for more than 25 years. Pantaloons, one of India's leading fashion retailers, comes under its umbrella.

Its international brands include everything available at The Collective. They also have long-standing exclusive partnerships with brands such as Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, Ted Baker, Fred Perry, Forever 21, American Eagle, Reebok, Simon Carter and Galeries Lafayette. Their ethnic wear includes Jaipur, Daswa and Marigold Lane. The company also has strategic partnerships with designers Chandnu & Nikhil, Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi and House of Mazaba. Their company TMRW has given them a foothold in the growing e-commerce market. TCNS clothing Co. By acquiring a 51 percent stake in the company, they now own women's clothing brands such as W, Aurelia, Wishful, Eleven and Folksong.

Tasva festive collections can be purchased at exclusive Tasva stores across India and online at www.tasva.com.

Noor Anand Chawla writes lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.