Former Badminton Star Takes to Social Media to Criticize Team India’s Controversial Ceremonial Outfits at the Paris Games:
The Paris Games are in full swing, and the Indian contingent fiercely pursues the coveted gold medals. But, as the athletes battle it out on the field, an unexpected drama unfolds off it. The buzz isn’t just about the sports anymore—it’s about the fashion fiasco that has everyone talking.
Former Indian badminton star, Jwala Gutta, has lit up social media with a fiery critique of the uniforms designed for Team India. Her post is making waves, and it’s safe to say, it’s not all cheers for the designer.
“The garments made for the Indian contingent this time are a huge disappointment! Especially when the designer was announced, I had huge expectations,” Gutta lamented. Ouch. That’s gotta hurt.
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… pic.twitter.com/b5UjzpvUJQ— Gutta Jwala 💙 (@Guttajwala) July 28, 2024
For the first time, a designer was roped in to create the official ceremonial attire for Team India. Enter Tarun Tahiliani, a name synonymous with luxury and elegance. His creations—ikat-inspired ensembles made from a cotton-khadi blend—were supposed to be a hit. Spoiler alert: They weren’t.
Name him. Tarun Tahiliani made a mess of an opportunity.
— 🏴VagaBong🏳️ (@sandeeproy1) July 28, 2024
The designers are busy designing PM clothes. Why would they even bother for the sportsmen/ sportswomen design?
— Luv Datta #INC (@LuvDatta_INC) July 28, 2024
Tahiliani dressed the sportswomen in ivory sarees with a tricolour border and the sportsmen in a kurta-Bundi set with the same detail. It all sounded perfect on paper. Modern Indian ethos? Check. Cultural representation? Check. But the execution? Not so much.
Gutta’s post pulled no punches. “First, not all girls know how to wear a saree… Why didn’t the designer use this common sense and make pre-draped sarees, which are in current trend?” she questioned. And she wasn’t done yet. “The girls looked uncomfortable, and the blouse was a bad fit!”
She didn’t stop there. The choice of colours and prints got a big thumbs down too. “The colours and the print were the opposite of beautiful Indian! There was an opportunity to display our culture through embroidery or hand paint. It was a work of absolute mediocrity and looked shabby!” she fumed.
Gutta wrapped up her rant with a heartfelt plea: “I really hope the sports family stops compromising on quality for our sportspersons’ looks on court and off court!”
Now, let’s talk about the outfits. The men’s kurta-bundi set, crafted from lightweight moss cotton, aimed to keep things breezy. The saree, made of viscose crepe, was supposed to drape naturally and comfortably. And those saffron and green-hued panels? They were inspired by Indian ikat handicrafts, aiming to add a touch of traditional elegance. But alas, the reality didn’t quite match the vision.
As the Indian athletes continue their medal quest, the uniform controversy has sparked a larger conversation about the importance of comfort and cultural representation. Will this off-field drama impact their performance? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: when it comes to representing India on the global stage, there’s no room for anything less than spectacular.
