Once a month I like to feature an article dedicated specifically to women’s fashions. So today I present to you Tani—a budding designer of women’s apparel and hand-crafted jewelry.Named after a verdant valley, Tani is the embodiment of what I consider a significant direction in the multi-faceted fashion industry that can be described as elegant, eclectic, and exotic.
Born in Shimla, India, Tani grew up in a bungalow on the Assam Tea Estates where her father worked—a region rich in biodiversity and endowed with lush greenery; one of the last conservations of the Indian rhinoceros; and a habitat for the Asian elephant, a few of which visited Tani’s pool for an occasional drink.
Daughter of a Hindu mother and a Sikh father, Tani abounds in a unique diversity much like that of her exotic environs. But before Tani could emerge as a precious jewel, she would have to pay a price for her distinctness, which would force her to withdraw within and uncover the richness of her creative soul.
Bullied and rejected by spoiled playmates, Tani was never handed a silver spoon. She remembers her father hard work in providing for the family and his constant gratitude for the fruit of his labor, no matter how insignificant it appeared. She recalls her mother’s words to pursue her dreams, regardless of the price or struggle.
In 1991, Tani and her family moved to London where she experienced more alienation. After receiving a Bachelor’s in Animation, Tani returned to India to continue her fashion studies and pursue a career in modeling. With pixie features and a modern haircut, the fair-skinned aspirant could not fit into the conservative image of the tall Madrasi women who dressed in traditional silk saris, accenting their sleek long hair with jasmine flowers.
Confronted with India’s sharp cultural divide between north and south, Tani ventured back to London where she married her long-time boyfriend from Slovakia, Milan Medvec. Finally drawing on the treasure within, Tani blossomed into a skillful designer as she focused on the unmet demands of women around her; namely, affordable high-end fashion that fits all shapes and sizes and never goes out of style.
Inspired by vivid childhood memories, Tani’s creations recall the scent of jasmine and the flutter of butterflies that enchanted the fields in which she played. Impressed by artistic traditions from the West, Tani draws on imagery like the lilies of Monet and the inlaid gold of Gustav Klimp’s Kiss.
With every collection, Tani aims to empower women from all walks of life as she assembles rare silks and precious stones into creations, instilling her clients with new found confidence, self-appreciation, and elegance. Grateful for the fruit of her labor, Tani donates half of all proceeds to Indian charity.
Tani—not only an exotic stylist of elegant apparel and jewelry but also a jasmine in a lush valley of eclectic trends. Stay tuned for Tani’s website as she brings to you House of Milanovita!
Photos Copyright by House of Milanovita.
