Exclusive: Tyla goes desi! Nancy Tyagi creates her stunning first saree look
Self-taught designer Nancy Tyagi recently made headlines for creating and hand-stitching a custom saree for global star Tyla. This project was especially meaningful, as it marked the very first time Tyla wore a saree complete with an Indian bindi. Combining traditional Indian techniques with Tyla’s playful, bold style, Nancy crafted a piece that celebrated both heritage and contemporary fashion.
We caught up with Nancy to talk about this special collaboration.Q. Tell us about the experience of this collaboration.Nancy Tyagi: “Yeh saree maine Tyla ke liye design ki thi, jahan do alag visual worlds ko ek saath laana tha. Indian techniques ka apna ek emotional aur artistic touch hai, aur maine chaha ki yeh naturally Tyla ke bold, modern aur confident style ke saath blend ho jaye. Saree ka structure, drape aur detailing sab hand-crafted hai, soch ke ki culture ko translate karne ki zarurat nahi, bas embrace kiya jaa sakta hai. Yeh piece dono identities ko equal respect deta hai, aur tradition ko freely Tyla ke personal style ke saath chalne deta hai. Isi balance mein yeh garment sach mein zinda lagta hai.” (“I designed this saree for Tyla to bring two different visual worlds together. Indian techniques carry their own emotional and artistic touch, and I wanted them to blend naturally with Tyla’s bold, modern, and confident style. The structure, drape, and detailing were all hand-crafted with the thought that culture doesn’t need to be translated – it can simply be embraced. This piece gives equal respect to both identities and allows tradition to move freely with Tyla’s personal style. In this balance, the garment truly comes alive.”)Q. What was the thought behind dressing Tyla in her first saree and bindi?Nancy Tyagi: “Main chaahti thi ki Tyla ka first saree moment natural lage aur unki personality bhi reflect kare. Unki style bold aur playful hai, toh maine ek aisa look create kiya jo tradition aur modern vibe dono ko balance kare. Bindi ek chhoti si detail thi, par usne look ko ek subtle cultural touch de diya. Intent simple tha, unhe Indian culture ka ek real, heartfelt experience dena.” (“I wanted Tyla’s first saree moment to feel natural and reflect her personality. Her style is bold and playful, so I created a look that balances both tradition and a modern vibe. The bindi was a small detail, but it gave the look a subtle cultural touch. The intention was simple – to give her a real, heartfelt experience of Indian culture.”)Nancy’s dedication to handcraft, emotion, and storytelling through fashion shone through in this project. By bringing Indian craftsmanship to a global stage, she not only celebrated cultural heritage but also showcased how fashion can connect identities, personalities, and continents.This collaboration between Nancy Tyagi and Tyla is more than just a fashion moment – it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and connection. By blending traditional Indian craftsmanship with a modern, global sensibility, Nancy has shown how fashion can tell stories, honor heritage, and create moments that resonate across borders. For Tyla, it was a first-of-its-kind experience; for Nancy, it was a fine example of the power of handwork, passion, and the joy of bringing two worlds together in one unforgettable look.
