• Source:JND
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Designer Tarun Tahiliani responded to the mounting criticism of the uniforms of the Indian contingent participating in the Paris Olympic 2024, saying that the social media outrage against him was an “insane storm in a teacup” and the design was chosen by selection committees after carefully reviewing “multiple sketches and multiple options of course.”

He further said that he stood by his design and it was appreciated 'a lot' in Paris. This comes after many social media users criticised the current design of the ceremonial dress of the Indian Olympic contingent calling it 'unimpressive and unattractive'.

“I stand by my design, it was appreciated a lot in Paris. Let people say what they want. Perhaps it is time to focus on what matters and that’s sport. In the end, our athletes looked good, supported the tricolour and were cohesive and cool. It’s not a wedding. It’s sport,” the designer said as quoted by the Indian Express, defending his creation.

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Tahiliani further added that there are set rules and guidelines by the Indian Olympic Committee (IOC), which have to be followed by every designer.

“Many things got changed at the last minute. I accept people can have their views. I am good with that but I stand by what we did. We wanted the team in the colours of the tricolour as most countries follow their flag and that’s all that was visible from afar. Hence the design. I would do it again with a little more colour as we saw the athletes from far away,” he added.

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“Paris can be boiling hot in July. That’s why the athletes were in cotton and viscose crepe so that athletes could breathe easily. I used the contemporary silhouettes of the Bundi jacket and the pre-pleated saree. They are not only comfortable and functional but also represent a fine balance of tradition with modernity. It would have been easy for me to send them in zardozi vests but that choice is not appropriate for the occasion,” he added as quoted by the Indian Express.