India Will Change The Game For Luxury"

Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the quiet-mannered designer talks about how India has changed as a consumer market, and the importance of nostalgia in his creations

- Priya Kumari Rana

INHABITING THREE FLOORS of a white, 100-year-old neo-colonial landmark building in Fort, not far from the iconic Gateway of India, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s newest address in Mumbai is a gasp-inducing, opulent, sensorially decadent experience that needs to be lived to be believed. It is a treasure trove of antiquities — giant Canton vases, carpets, Tanjore art, Mughal miniatures, Nathdwara-style pichwais, and modern Persian quajar-style paintings, among others. His occasionwear and bridalwear occupies the first floor, with his signature red lehengas and saris, white, and black lehengas  made of khadi. Menswear, womenswear ready-to-wear and accessories dominate the second floor, while an entire first floor is dedicated to jewellery — the heavy polki diamond sets (₹50 lakh) from his Heritiage line made in Rajasthan and assembled at his ateliers in Kolkata, his Fine Jewellery (with emerald and diamond necklaces priced at around ₹3 crore) and High Jewellery contemporary line — including the Bengal Byzantine Broadway Collection, and some exquisite pieces for men — like ornate sirpechs..

After the Dior and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre events in Mumbai, is it the beginning of the West’s interest in India?