Tarun Tahiliani and Anjolie Ela Menon translate a lifelong friendship into wearable couture prêt
Tarun Tahiliani’s luxe pret label, OTT, just launched a visually stunning capsule collection with celebrated artist Anjolie Ela Menon. Resonating with Tarun’s India Modern philosophy, Anjolie has created a visual language unlike any other in Indian art. Her luminous portraits, layered colours and contemplative figures occupy a space between memory, identity and lived experience.
“I have known Tarun since he was very young, and our relationship has always been rooted in a shared love for art and beauty. To see my work translated into clothing in this way has been a deeply interesting experience. A painting exists on a surface, while a garment moves with the body and becomes part of someone’s life,” says Anjolie.
Her iconic heads, contemplative portraits and painterly palette were carefully reinterpreted into curated compositions. Tarun’s signature draped skirts, concept saris, fluid tunics, effortless separates and coordinated sets are reimagined in deep lapis blues, rich vermilions, luminous greens and softened earth tones. Tarun tells us more.
How did you approach translating Anjolie Ela Menon’s artwork into fluid, wearable garments?
The intention was to interpret Anjolie’s visual language rather than simply reproduce her paintings as prints. Her iconic heads, contemplative figures and distinctive use of colour were carefully reworked to respond to each silhouette.
The placement of the artwork was considered in relation to how the garment falls and moves on the body. Gradients follow the contours of the torso, while selected motifs frame the shoulders, waist and drapes. This allowed the artwork to retain its character while becoming part of the garment itself. The result is a collection where art and clothing come together naturally, rather than one being placed on top of the other.
Given your personal history with Anjolie, how did that relationship shape the collaborative and creative process?
There is a deep sense of familiarity and trust behind this collaboration. We have known each other for decades, with our families connected through our fathers, who served together in the Indian Navy. Over the years, that relationship has grown through a shared appreciation of art, beauty, craft and Indian design. This made the creative exchange feel very natural. There was also an understanding of Anjolie’s work beyond its visual quality; particularly its sense of stillness, colour and emotion. That familiarity allowed us to approach the translation of her work with sensitivity, while still giving it a new expression through fashion.
How does this collaboration fit into and evolve OTT’s core philosophy of “India Modern”?
The collaboration is a natural extension of OTT’s idea of India Modern, which looks at Indian design through a contemporary lens. Anjolie’s work brings another dimension to that conversation. Her artistic vocabulary draws from Indian visual traditions as well as wider influences, but remains deeply personal and recognisable. Translating that language into contemporary prêt allows OTT to explore Indian creativity beyond conventional fashion references.
The collection brings her art together with OTT’s fluid silhouettes and everyday versatility, creating pieces that feel distinctly connected to India while being modern in their usage and easy to integrate into a contemporary wardrobe.
How have you ensured that the prints retain a sense of balance and look clutter-free while translating the artwork onto garments?
A lot of attention was given to editing and placement. Rather than applying an artwork uniformly across a garment, each piece was composed individually, almost like a canvas, with the silhouette determining how much of the imagery was brought into focus. Selected motifs were used around the shoulders, waist and drapes, while gradients of colour were allowed to follow the contours of the body. This creates a sense of movement without overwhelming the garment. The intention was always to retain the essence of Anjolie’s work while giving each element enough space to be appreciated.
What are your other upcoming collections from OTT?
It is a little too early to say what’s coming next. OTT’s journey ahead will remain global in outlook, while remaining firmly rooted in its India Modern ethos. The intention is to continue exploring contemporary Indian design in a way that feels relevant across geographies, without losing the sensibility and craftsmanship that make OTT distinctly its own.