Couturier, Tarun Tahiliani's styles screamed a 'contemporised' excess, as a large and glittering crowd witnessed at the Lakme Grand Finale Winter 2004 show, Fireworks, held recently in Mumbai

Did couturier Tarun Tahiliani win out over Italian high fashion guru, Roberto Cavalli, who was introducing his perfume line, that same evening, in Goa? In Mumbai, which definitely centres old Tarun loyalists, I think the answer would be - yes! If the turnout at the newly opened Grand Hyatt was anything to go by, the city certainly welcomed the Delhi-based designer, with elegantly open arms. Anyone with even the whiff of a Page-Three aura was present, in all their designer finery, where Tahiliani interpreted Lakme's new, bold and brilliant red and pink palette, for the festive season.

The designer's long-time muse, Minal Modi, was wearing Ralph Lauren, though Tahiliani is the only Indian designer she favours; Laila Lamba was in curve-enhancing Tahiliani choli; Mehr Jesia Rampal, who opened the designer's Milan show with aplomb, was present. As were, actors Amisha Patel, Tabu and Simi; the fash fraternity's Monisha Jaising, Lascelles Symons, Aki Narula and Hemant Trevedi; food critic Rashmi Uday Singh; former supermodel Madhu Sapre…what a varied fan following!

Colour pyrotechnics and Elton John tracts preceded the bevy of models with beehive hairstyles and long, hip-swinging parandis. Jewelled with Swarovski's range in smoky topaz, diamond, emerald and rubylite, clustered like the Nizam's jewellery into bajubandhs and paijevs, Tahiliani's look screamed 'wedding season'. The opening garment - seemingly nude-topped and hung with jewels - was fit for a contemporary princess. Juicy stripes in pinks and orange, candy swirls, body-hugging accents and figure conscious Lycra accentuated the king of drapes' well, drapes. Saris were embellished to the hilt, waisted with jewelled bands or had pallu corners tied - perhaps with the finishing touch of a feather - to a glittering armband. Low backs were de rigueur and flaunted jewels that were fit to be worn up front. All in all, Tahiliani had managed to take forward and 'contemporise' a look of jewelled excess that has become almost a personal trademark.