As India’s original fashion store reopens its doors, we take a look at the Ensemble that was, and the flagship —envisioned by Tina Tahiliani Parikh—it is today
It’s the afternoon of the Ensemble Lionsgate launch (or rather, re-launch) party on a rainy August day in Mumbai. With less than five hours to go, the store is a jumble of merchandisers, staff, and workers. The carpets are rolled up, the scaffolding’s not been taken down, and there’s a smell of fresh paint. You couldn’t guess there’s a party slated for that evening. But clearly the Ensemble team is an old hand at this because by 7:00 p.m., everything is as it should be. Executive director Tina Tahiliani Parikh stands at the door, greeting each guest, and the evening’s a grand success.
Started by Parikh’s elder brother, Tarun, and his wife Sailaja (Sal) Tahiliani, with the late Rohit Khosla, Ensemble, the Tahilianis assert, was ahead of its time. “The objective was to promote Indian talent who had not been given a platform under their own label and were often working for other people,” says Parikh. “We thought there was a new wind,” adds Tahiliani. “That one should have not just a big, wonderful fashion boutique, but because the best, most beautiful clothes were being exported abroad and not available to Indians. It was my wife Sal’s idea, and she and Rohit discussed this at a shoot they were doing for Vimal Fabrics.”
This story is from the September 01, 2016 edition of Harper's Bazaar India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 01, 2016 edition of Harper's Bazaar India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
...Carry A Rockstar Look?
Remember the iconic advice from Bob Dylan: "Sometimes you have to bite your lip and put on some sunglasses"? He, of course, took it strictly, crafting his musician persona with those classic black Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Now it's your chance to create your own stylish journey with a timeless touch of sophistication.
The Yarn Story
A slew of homegrown labels are making a case for why knitwear could be a year-round choice.
HOLA BARCELONA!
From art, culture, and architecture to a buzzing nightlife, Spain's second-largest city has something for everyone.
BEAUTY NEWS
All that's fresh in the world of beauty right now.
THE NEW FRONTIER
Explore the shift towards holistic body care.
'CELEBRATE YOUR SKIN TONE'
In an exclusive conversation with Bazaar India, make-up mogul Laura Mercier, who recently launched her products in India, talks about her career, the flawless look that she pioneered, and shares make-up tips.
GREAT STRIDES
A psychoanalyst explores how women have taken control of the sartorial narrative over the centuries, embracing fashion as a subtle yet powerful form of self-expression.
FROM ASCENT TO APEX
When rising star ANANYA PANDAY crosses paths with resurgent legend ZEENAT AMAN, it's a celebration of womanhood in all its glory.
INDIAN LEGACY, GLOBAL OUTLOOK
Tracing Welspun Living's journey from its humble beginnings in Gujarat to its international dominance in the home textile industry.
PAGE TURNERS
These forbidden romance' novels defy expectations and redefine love.