The Indian contingent’s Olympic outfits sparked a major debate, with many criticizing Tarun Tahiliani for lack of creativity and failed representation of India's rich culture. As social media reactions heated up, the designer addressed the controversy.
As the torch was lit and the wait finally over, the world's eyes is on Paris to watch the best of all athletes compete. While we love it for the thrill and sportsman spirit, the Olympics is not just about that but also a powerful representation of each country's identity and culture. Athletes wear special outfits that represent their country during the opening and closing ceremonies and this year, the Indian contingent costume is being widely discussed on social media. In case you're not aware, a lot of people showed their disappointment claiming that the Ikat-inspired uniforms designed by Tarun Tahiliani failed to represent our vast beautiful culture and were underwhelming to look at. Just a few hours after Team India, dressed in the national flag's colors during the Olympics' opening ceremony, their uniforms were criticized on social media for looking cheap and tacky.
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People took social media to show their disappointment:
The Tarun Tahiliani designed outfits for the Indian Olympic contingent are a total embarrassment - even more shameful is the unabashed promotion of his own commercial logo on the uniforms.
— Jai Anant Dehadrai (@jai_a_dehadrai) July 28, 2024
This is unacceptable - the bureaucrats responsible should have invited traditional Indian… pic.twitter.com/YNKJ5I52aO
This time the Olympics has one of the best outfits of all time.
— Kshitij Kulshreshtha (@kshitijkulsh) July 26, 2024
Disappointed with the Indian team's outfit though. #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/o2EInSwdVS
This disgustingly designed ceremonial outfit by a 3 year old firm is what Indian contingent to olympics will wear at the world capital of fashion hosting #OlympicGamesParis2024 🤮 pic.twitter.com/IcB5FqNWGl
— #FreeDaraSingh (@Ravi3pathi) July 14, 2024
The weavers in Sarojani Naidu's poem "Indian Weavers" were well aware of the process of designing various outfits for various venues by considering it, but I don't think the same could be said of Indian Olympic clothing designers. pic.twitter.com/mPuH3ZP0ci
— ♚कर्ण Lone wolf.🌈 (@karn_angh) July 27, 2024
After seeing the Indian Olympic dress, Tarun Tahiliani & Tasva They managed to mock us on an international level. Even AI-generated outfits look better than what they came up with.#TarunTahiliani #Tasva #IndiaAtOlympics #IndiaAtParis2024 pic.twitter.com/I0N7wO5HVS
— nav (@navi6699) July 27, 2024
As a way to prove their criticism some decided to take the help of AI and design the Olympic outfits themselves. By giving it more quirky and sporty look that represents the country, these AI generated looks are gaining praise online.
Here's what some of these designs look like:
If Artificial Intelligence was consulted on Indian Contingents uniform & outfits for the Olympics.
— Aashish (@aashmvp) July 28, 2024
I have said it multiple times. We need to show our attitude & forget about being traditional all the time. pic.twitter.com/08Pfg9OYYY
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani has responded to the criticism of the Indian contingent's costume at the Paris Olympics, slamming "armchair critics" and asserting that he stands by the design, denying implications that he charged a fee for designing the athletes' attire. Mr. Tahiliani said his team followed the International Olympic Committee's guidelines while designing the kits. "Many things changed at the last minute. I stand by our design. This is what we Indians wear, and this is not meant to be a couture show. I accept that people can have their views. I am good with that, but I stand by what we did," he said.
What are your thoughts on this whole debate? Tell us in the comments below!
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