Tarun Tahiliani at Cannes

India's contingent to the 66th edition of the Festival de Cannes did not comprise members of the film fraternity alone. This year, designer Tarun Tahiliani was invited to the prestigious amfAR gala for the 11-day festival. Organised at the French Riviera, the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) gala at Cannes was a charity event benefiting Cinema Against AIDS.

Organized by Carine Roitfeld (former editor-in-chief Vogue Paris) and supermodel Naomi Campbell, the gala in its 20th year featuring the 'Ultimate Gold Collection' fashion show had Tahiliani showcase his designs alongside international names such as Roberto Cavalli, Alexander Wang, Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, among others.

The show was themed on Elizabeth Taylor and hence the gold theme. Tahiliani had to send a few of his bridal wear creations to be shot by Karl Lagerfeld for the campaign. He displayed two ensembles at the show. Spanish male model Andres Velencoso Segura and American supermodel Karlie Kloss showcased his designs. While Segura modelled dhoti pants paired with a shorter version of the Nehru jacket, Kloss walked the ramp in one of Tahiliani's sari gowns. She also wore a glittering gold headpiece. Tahiliani also dressed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who walked the red carpet in a gold sari.

Tahiliani said, "My idea is not to dwell on India of the past but to infuse a sense of modern India. One outfit is a sari gown, made with the finest georgette in champagne hues with delicate thread work". A floral neckpiece completed the dress. The other, a man's ensemble, comprises a jacket, trouser and shirt in tussar gold. "It had a dash of gold in the form of accessories, such as cuff links and buttons," he explained.