The Indian team at the Paris Games has embarked on their journey to secure medals, with several athletes advancing to the medal rounds with the ultimate goal of achieving the coveted gold. However, the athletes faced some off-the-field challenges, as reports surfaced regarding their dissatisfaction with the quality of the uniforms and attire provided for them.
Former Indian badminton star, Jwala Gutta, took to social media to express her disappointment and criticize those responsible for the subpar uniforms and attire selected for the Indian contingent.
In her post, Gutta expressed her high expectations for the designer responsible for creating Team India's attire, only to be met with disappointment. This marked the first instance of a designer being commissioned to design the official ceremonial attire for Team India.
"After not much of thinking... The garments which was made for the Indian contingent participating in Olympics this time has 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!!
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!!
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!!!!," Gutta wrote.
The unveiling of the Team India uniforms by designer Tarun Tahiliani marked a significant moment in the world of fashion. The ensembles, inspired by ikat designs and crafted from a blend of cotton and khadi, showcased Tahiliani's unique vision for modern Indian attire.
However, despite the designer's efforts, it was evident that both athletes and fans were not entirely pleased with the uniforms. Tahiliani's choice to dress sportswomen in ivory sarees with tricolour borders and sportsmen in kurta-bundi sets featuring similar tricolour-themed details did not resonate well with everyone.
Nevertheless, Tahiliani's designs aimed to capture a modern Indian ethos by incorporating ikat-inspired prints and Banarasi brocade. The mens kurta-bundi set, made from lightweight moss cotton, offered a breathable and comfortable experience for athletes. The saree, a symbol of India's cultural heritage, was crafted from viscose crepe to ensure a natural drape, paired with a high-neck blouse.
Both ensembles featured digital printed saffron and green-hued panels, drawing inspiration from traditional Indian ikat handicraft.
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