Jwala Gutta Joins Chorus In Criticising Tarun Tahiliani's Olympics Outfits: Stop Compromising On...

Former badminton player Jwala Gutta was among the several social media users agitated with the ceremonial outfits donned by the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony. The ace player took to her social media account to criticise the outfits given to the players and added that it missed out an opportunity to display India's art and culture to the world. While she did not name anyone in particular, she mentioned that not just the design but even the fitting of the garments.

Jwala Gutta slams designer's choice for Indian contingent's Olympics outfit 

On July 28, Jwala Gutta joined the common sentiment of Indians and took to her Instagram account to slam all those responsible for the fit of the Indian contingent at the Olympics opening ceremony. She penned a lengthy note along with a photo of herself in a saree from the Rio Olympics 2016. She called the designers' work for the current year, ‘mediocre’ and 'shabby'  

Sharing the photos, Jwala wrote, "After not much of thinking.. The garments that were made for the Indian contingent participating in the Olympics this time have been a huge disappointment!! (Especially when the designer was announced I had huge expectations) First, not all girls know how to wear a saree…why didn’t the designer use this common sense and make pre draped saree(which is in current trend) 
The girls looked uncomfortable the blouse was of bad fit!!"

Pointing out another error in judgement on the designer's end, she wrote, “And second the colour and the print was so opposite of beautiful Indian!!! There was an opportunity for the designer to display the art of our culture through embroidery or hand paint!!” She concluded the note by writing, "It was a work of absolute mediocrity and looked shabby!!!  I really hope the sports family stops compromising on quality for our sportspersons looks on court and off court!!!!"
 

‘Bland, bleak, uniquely ugly’, social media users slam Tarun Tahiliani for outfits designed for Indian athletes

The Summer Olympics 2024 commenced on July 26 in Paris. A group of 78 Indian athletes and officials arrived to attend the Parade of Nation held at the bank of the River Seine in the opening ceremony. Shuttler PV Sindhu and seasoned table tennis player Sharath Kamal led the contingent as flag bearers. Indian athletes donned ceremonial outfits designed by Tarun Tahiliani's label - TASVA for the event.

The designer received major backlash from social media users who argued that for a country with its rich heritage in textiles, the designer's work lacked imagination. A user took to their X (formerly Twitter) account to write, "You’ve been looted  @WeAreTeamIndia!! Even a newbie at NIFT would have done a better job than Tarun Tahiliani with such boring and dull-looking dresses for our contingent  ..!!" Another user expressed their disappointment and wrote, “Tarun Tahiliani and the Ministry of Textiles bureaucrat who okayed this horrendous ceremonial saree should be tried for treason! What a wasted opportunity!” Another added, “From a country known for its textiles and weaves, we have our players wearing digital prints for the biggest sporting event! Am I the only one upset about it?” Echoing a similar sentiment, a comment read, “For a country known for its astonishing variety of fabrics & master craftsmanship, heritage & skill honed over generations .. this is a pathetic and embarrassing effort. It even has a tacky stitched-on shoulder patch.”