It’s a miserable grey, rainy Friday afternoon in May. Inside Prince and the Peacock Indian restaurant, though, the vibe is different. Rich colours hit like a soft punch to the soul. Then Tania Mohan walks in, armed with so much poise and purpose that the room appears to glow. She spreads out her choice of shoot outfits with the calm authority of someone who’s done so much and seen too many ‘maybe’ ideas come and go. The founder of luxury fashion and homeware brand Tabla is not just styling, she’s curating – like a one-woman editorial board.
“Proper representation is important,” she tells us, leaning into the point the way some people lean into compliments. “Nowadays, a lot of people are trying to be someone else without recognising it. It’s the trend. We have to embrace our individuality because no one can ever top that. Not even trends. Because trends come and go.”
Mohan doesn’t sound like someone chasing fashion. She sounds like someone defending it. Like fashion is a court case, and she’s showing exhibits to the jury. And – plot twist – she’s literally qualified to do that.
Dressed for Destiny
Born and raised in Hong Kong to an affluent family of Indian heritage, she has retail in her DNA – Mohan’s department stores operated during the 1950s. Her upbringing ensured that she absorbed luxury the way some people absorb weather patterns: constantly, without even realising you’re learning.
“Growing up, that early exposure gave me an instinctive understanding of quality and fabrics, while my mother’s exquisite taste filled our homes with a deep sense of aesthetic luxury,” she says. “The city’s incredible energy, combined with my family’s heritage, taught me to view fashion as a complete, curated lifestyle – an approach that defines my creative direction for Tabla today.”
Sparkle and Structure
This creativity was honed early in her career. In the 1990s, she joined Hong Kong Standard as fashion editor and stylist. She’s also a barrister-at-law. When asked how law fits into a life built around luxury, her answer is clever, like she’s already drafting your argument before you finish the question.
“I don’t think my love affair with the law will ever truly go away, and I am fortunate to still utilise my legal training through consulting work today,” she defends. “As a barrister, you learn to investigate every angle thoroughly, and I now apply that exact same investigative discipline to my creative process. When a specific historical era or traditional embroidery technique catches my attention, my instinct is to dive into the archives and uncover its full story.”
She expounds: “Having studied law since I was 16, those years of discipline have become an invaluable asset in running my own business. Rather than a total departure, my legal background provides the structural foundation that supports my creative freedom, giving me a unique edge as the creative director of Tabla.
Tabla Setting
The brand began in Hong Kong in 1999 with an Indian-inspired luxury focus in a chic boutique in Prince’s Building. It went international in 2015, when she opened in Knightsbridge, London, an area she knew well from her law-student days.
“I was at a major crossroads in my life when the opportunity for Tabla appeared, and I simply dove into it with the reckless abandon of someone who found exactly what they were looking for,” she recalls. “I measured its success by the sheer momentum of the journey itself. Finding an opportunity that resonated so deeply with my passions proved instantly that the leap was worth it.”
Mohan frames Tabla’s style as an organic dialogue: ‘Made in India’ but filtered through her Hong Kong lens. She reels off specific examples, such as plates pairing pagodas with peacocks, and clothing highlighting Parsi Gara embroidery, a craft born from vibrant 19th-century maritime silk routes connecting China and India.
Asian Persuasion
She credits the emergence of cross-cultural branding – especially as championed by David Tang at Shanghai Tang – as a defining moment in fashion. “David was a true visionary,” she says. “I used to tell him that my ultimate goal was to create the Indian Shanghai Tang, and I very much stand by that ambition today. His legacy taught me that reframing heritage isn’t about changing the craft itself, but about elevating it onto the global stage with the pride and grandeur it deserves.”
Nowadays, the ‘Asian luxury’ conversation isn’t just aesthetic, it’s political, cultural and historical. It’s about who gets credit, who gets called inspired, and who gets called original. She explains: “To me, Asian luxury is deeply rooted in the old-school, homegrown traditions of unmatched craftsmanship, rich materials and exquisite hand-worked detailing. About 10 years ago, at a luxury conference in India hosted by a European company, I championed the rise of ‘Made in Asia’, only to be dismissed by an executive who insisted the world wasn’t ready.
I was astounded by that ignorance, knowing how much Western luxury has always relied on Indian embroidery and Asian craftsmanship behind the scenes. Today, I can say with pure conviction that the Asian invasion in luxury retail is fully upon us, reclaiming that narrative proudly.”
Then she drops a line that makes the room seem like it just got louder: “Over the next decade, the world will watch amazing homegrown designers emerge from this region to lead global trends – because when the dragon and the elephant dance, the whole world watches.”
Styles and Shifts
Expectations have evolved for Tabla since its pre-Millennium birth. Consolidating online, the brand now embodies more discernment, less ‘whatever’. “Today’s clients expect more than just a premium product; they seek a genuine craft story, a sense of heritage, and an authentic, personal connection to what they wear and bring into their homes,” she affirms.
“I have always envisioned the Tabla shopping experience as a jewel box – a treasure trove filled with unique, beautifully crafted pieces that resonate with this modern desire for authentic luxury.”
Reflecting on the longevity of her brand, she says: “Celebrating 25 years has proven to me that persistence is born out of pure, unadulterated belief. Someone once called me the most tenacious person they know – and while some days I ask myself why I have spent so much time on this, my retail lineage, my passion, and the specific niche we hold are what drive me forward.
It is easy to look at brands that scale rapidly and feel discouraged, but I didn’t come this far just to come this far. I still have so many stories to tell, embroideries to explore, and pieces to create while staying fiercely true to Tabla’s artisan heritage.”
That’s the foundation of a luxury brand that endures, because the truth is, anyone can dress you, but only a few can define you.
“I’ve done a lot of things [then thought], what the hell am I thinking right?” she laughs. “But now I’m focusing on Tabla and the importance of bringing forward my culture to the world, and who knows what the future may bring.” And true enough, real glam isn’t a trend; it’s a point of view.
Interview, Text & Art Direction: Joseff Musa Photographer: Jack Law Videographer: Iris Ventura Venue: Prince and the Peacock
