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The viral social media controversy regarding influencer Dr. Cuterus calling out reputed bridal couture brand Tarun Tahiliani's Ambawatta outlet for body-shaming her has taken another interesting turn. Dr. Tanaya Narendra added more perspective post the apology statement issued by the brand. Diet Sabya and more got involved in this massive scandal opening the conversation of fat-shaming often faced by curvalicious brides through the hands of shallow society.
Many were quick to support fatphobia as an issue faced in society thus, furthering their support to the happy and healthy bride. However, post her reaction on the released clarification on the brand's behalf, there's more than what meets the eye. The famous designer soon shed more light on what actually went down between the potential client and his brand in an interview with E times.
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There are two sides to every story. But sometimes people are quick to judge and call out an individual listening to only one side of a story, depending on what resonates more to them. Social media influencer Tanaya Mahendra had accused designer Tarun Tahiliani's brand of fat-shaming her while sharing her wedding post on Instagram. The designer's team later issued a clarification note on their Instagram page and Tarun Tahiliani shared his side of the story in an interview with us.
Just when we thought the scandal's end was near, Tahiliani quoted, "Our industry has taken a major hit due to the pandemic and some sizes are not sometimes not available at our store. We have clearly told our store people to be honest with our customers. You will not sell them things that will not look good on them. If you can't do it, tell them, don't take the orders because you are trying to meet a target and then tomorrow you let people down, it is not cool. If someone thinks that it is fat-shaming, then I would like to tell them that we are a service industry and not therapists," he said.
Exploring his perspective further, he cleared the air that he had always and will always practise inclusivity. Claiming he's shot with women of various body types and abilities, celebrating all sorts of body positivity, he added, "I have always celebrated diversity. I have shot with different women with different body types over the years. We have designed clothes for specially-abled people, done gay weddings. As a brand, we have always promoted inclusivity. So if I and my brand are being accused of fat-shaming someone, I have no words left," he added.
Sharing an incident from the past about how hard TT has worked to accommodate a bride with extreme health concerns, he explained, "We are a service industry and we are here to provide solutions for people. When Simone Tata's granddaughter got married, Simone came to us in a wheelchair, she couldn't even stand. We went out of our way to make sure she was comfortable and looked lovely obviously. It is our job as couturiers to make sure that we cater to the need of our clients and provide them with the best possible solution. Our team has been sensitized to deal properly with our clients and make them feel welcome."
Tarun Tahiliani's team also issued a clarification later on their Instagram handle, which again didn't go down well with Dr. Tanaya Narendra. She shared the designer's post on her Instagram story and wrote, "Very convenient disregard of my experience without hearing it from me in what way I felt body shamed. I didn't feel unwelcome because of the time issue. I was never made aware of that. It was the way their salesperson looked at me up and down and asked, "Oh, 'you are getting married?" as if I am inherently unmarriageable. It was the way they kept saying "we don't have this in 'your size'." It was the general disinterest in showing me around. It was the way that, as they led me out of the store, the salesperson said 'maybe this outfit would make you look more... in shape.' These were the things that made me feel unwelcome, shamed and unfairly commented on."
And was the designer also offended by the constant use of the F-word which she did while sharing her experience on Instagram? Yes. "Even if things might have happened, it is their (store people) words against hers. But there is always a way to express your displeasure. The kind of language she used while sharing her thoughts on social media with the continuous use of the F-word was downright tacky." he added.
Oh boy, this isn't going to come to a halt, is it? The accusations seem to be flying forever and none of the parties would take a NO for a 'defeat' now. Stay tuned for more updates!
(Source: Times/Instagram)
