Style was seen in motion along with the heritage on wheels at the ongoing The Oberoi Concours d’Elegance at The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur on its second day. The two unfolded like a perfectly paced symphony -- measured, meticulous, and magnificently stylish. The morning belonged to quiet intensity. Judges moved from one gleaming masterpiece to another, their scrutiny as polished as the chrome they examined... of each one of these collectors’ dream machines. It was a ritual of reverence -- the calm before the crescendo, as the participating collectors awaited the verdict that would crown the finest among them on the final day -- the third day.

By afternoon, suspense and anxiety gave way to style and spectacle. Style arrived not in one flourish, but in two thoughtfully crafted capsules -- a talk by fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani on couture, culture and craftsmanship and later in the evening an impressive conversion of those words onto couture pieces on the fashion runway, set against the stunning backdrop of The Oberoi Udaivilas. The fashion designer transported the audience through a lyrical journey of drapes, textiles, and costume traditions of a bygone India -- reinterpreted with his signature refinement.

Reflecting on his formative years in post-Partition India, Tahiliani spoke candidly of growing up in a nation both socialist in spirit and deeply westernised in aspiration. Educated in English institutions and encouraged to admire British manners, architecture, and dress, he described feeling subtly distanced from India’s own rich sartorial heritage.

In a setting defined by automotive heritage, day two proved that elegance -- whether on wheels or in woven drapes -- is timeless. “When the world witnessed a change in fashion, like the Edwardian, Elizabethan, Georgian, what changed in India was the textiles,” he said during his presentation of the evolution of drapes depicted through sculptures, paintings, tribal costumes, and the yogic outfits through which he had drawn inspirations over the years and ending the session with the images of his recent 30 years celebratory show held at The Residency at Hyderabad. 

Later in the evening, he showcased his couture collection, delicately interwoven with touches from his bridge line, OTT --  each piece unmistakably stamped with his signature philosophy: simplicity elevated through the poetry of drape.

The collection leaned into refinement. Designed primarily for women, with a thoughtful nod to menswear, it unfolded in a palette of muted hues. Surface embellishments were restrained, almost whispered -- yet the glamour was undeniable. Silhouettes flowed with ease, sculpted yet effortless, moving as though they carried their own breeze.

What started as a measured homage to engineering excellence evolved into a lyrical celebration of craft in all its forms. From the gleam of vintage automobiles to the fluid grace of couture envisioned by Tarun Tahiliani, the day affirmed a singular truth: true elegance transcends medium -- whether forged in metal or shaped in muslin, heritage endures when it is preserved with reverence and reimagined with vision.