Tarun Tahiliani: Aditi Rao Hydari’s Effortless Elegance Aligned Perfectly With OTT’s Ethos

A pitch dark show area gradually lit up with a video featuring supermodel Lisa Haydon wearing separates designed by couturier Tarun Tahiliani. The screen brought to life Tarun’s impeccable journey which led to the birth of OTT. 

The playful and power of musician Gaurav Raina’s music embraced the magic of Tarun’s creativity on the runway showcased through the much-awaited launch of his luxury prêt brand, OTT.

With 40 key looks celebrating a significant chapter in Tarun’s legacy, OTT which was in the making for more than three decades, made its debut at Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with Fashion Design Council of India in New Delhi.

Joining in the celebration, actor Aditi Rao Hydari turned showstopper for Tarun, capturing the true essence of the India-modern woman. Tarun Tahiliani shares with News18 the journey of OTT, the collection showcased on the runway and why Aditi Rao Hydari was the perfect muse for the show.

Excerpts from the interview:

Every debut is special, what makes OTT a significant chapter in your legacy?

OTT is a culmination of decades of thought and passion. It’s significant because it brings luxury prêt to the forefront of my design journey. For years, I’ve been deeply invested in couture, creating extravagant, one-of-a-kind pieces. But with OTT, I wanted to craft something that was versatile, accessible, and effortless, while maintaining the essence of what we do—India-modern fashion, rooted in craftsmanship but simplified for the everyday. This brand allows me to reach a wider audience, offering them a luxury prêt line that’s as thoughtful and detailed as my couture, but in a way that fits more seamlessly into their daily lives.

Describe the collection and how it resonates with the modern Indian woman?

OTT is designed for the modern Indian woman who values versatility and elegance without compromising on comfort. The collection is built around separates—pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple looks, whether for work, social events, or travel. It resonates with women today because it brings together India’s rich artisanal heritage and modern functionality. The silhouettes—whether draped or structured—are designed to move with ease and grace, speaking to a woman who is confident, contemporary, and deeply connected to her roots.

As the czar of couture, how have you integrated Indian craftsmanship in this collection?

The foundation of OTT lies in Indian craftsmanship. While the pieces may appear more minimal compared to couture, they are no less detailed. We’ve used techniques like structured draping, fine embroidery, and prints inspired by Indian miniature art and jewellery motifs. The idea was to integrate these elements in a way that elevates everyday wear. Every piece is designed to be worn effortlessly but still holds the artistry that we’re known for, from beautifully tailored dhoti pants to embellished gilets.

Your shows are always a celebration of fashion, art, and music. What’s the thought behind the ambience you create on the runway?

The ambience of a show is as important as the collection itself because it sets the tone and mood. I believe fashion is not just about clothing but about creating an experience that immerses the audience in the story you want to tell. For OTT, we wanted the runway to reflect the brand’s effortless nature, with a backdrop that highlights India-modern in its truest sense—minimal, yet rich in detail.

We started off a video of Lisa Haydon we shot more than 10 years ago, dressed in separates from the brand that we had worked on over the years. The idea was to showcase the ease of these separates and how beautifully they can be integrated and matched with each other. As I mentioned OTT has been in the making for more than three decades for me and that’s what I wanted reflected on the screen.

The music as always plays an extremely crucial role in bringing alive an experience and we had Gaurav Raina create the track for us which evoked the essence of playfulness, power and ease much like the clothes themselves. Music, lighting, and the space all work together to evoke a sense of calm luxury, allowing the garments to shine without distraction.

You had Aditi Rao Hydari walk the runway for you. Describe the showstopper ensemble adorned by her and what made her the ideal choice for this look?

Aditi embodies effortless elegance, which aligns perfectly with OTT’s ethos. For the show, she wore a draped skirt with a structured corset-style bodysuit. The look is a modern take on traditional Indian elements—draping meets structure, fluidity meets form. Aditi’s grace and presence made her the ideal choice for this ensemble, as she truly captures the India-modern woman: grounded in tradition yet moving forward with confidence.

How many pieces were showcased on the runway?

We showcased about 40 key looks for the debut of OTT at Lakmē Fashion Week. Each look is a study in versatility, designed to be mixed and matched with other pieces from the collection, so the actual possibilities for styling are endless. The collection is built around the idea of creating a capsule wardrobe—effortless, adaptable, and timeless.