Sabyasachi’s New Mumbai Store Is An Opulent One

MUMBAI – Sabyasachi Mukherjee is a brand in his own right, widely known for his well-known Indian bridal wear and his distinctive contribution to Indian textiles a modern twist. The celebrated fashion designer announced the opening of his luxury house rooted in heritage, craft and culture in Mumbai.

The store is a sprawling 25,862 sq ft and housed in the majestic neo classical landmark built in the Italianate revival tradition. The neo classical building was completed in 1913 by Chambers and Fritchley and was originally built for the British Bank of The Middle East. The building is classified as a Grade II A heritage structure under the Heritage Regulations of Greater Bombay 1995. Sabyasachi has reimagined the interiors into an immersive retail space that merges the house’s signature cultural savoir faire with Indian decadence, craftsmanship and history.

Over 100 chandeliers, 275 carpets, 3,000 books and 150 works of art created by the Sabyasachi Foundation, are layered between age-old Tanjore paintings, Pichhwais in the Deccan, Nathdwara and Kota style, vintage photography, Mughal miniatures, rare bronzes, 19th century Company Paintings and rare lithographs. The space is lined with curiosity cabinets sourced from souks, modernist interpretations of Persian Qajars, 18th century Venetian handcrafted chairs, rare French Art Nouveau cabinets and arrogant brass sculptures made in Calcutta.

Leather-bound books, Tang dynasty pottery, rare Canton vases and odd antiquities lie on retrofitted turn of the century furniture with fine inlay work, alongside the house’s now signature block printed silk velvet lined busts, vitrines and lampshades. From Rajasthan to Bengal, vintage handwoven and crafted textiles from across India can be found all across the store, showcasing a sliver of India’s grand crafts legacy.

While the wallpaper and upholstery are part of the Sabyasachi for Nilaya collection by Asian Paints, presenting various house motifs and hallmarks. The space is a living museum and the most realized iteration of the Sabyasachi experience.

Housed within is a micro-exhibit from the Sabyasachi archive currently showcasing couture from the inaugural Sabyasachi X Christian Louboutin collaboration Bater, 2015 and its sequel Firdaus, 2016. Hidden lounges and dens dot each floor, with a tearoom tucked away behind silk velvet drapes, offers guests a moment of pause with a curated list of Sabyasachi’s favorite blends. Even as the signature notes of rose and frankincense waft through the labyrinthine space.

The ground floor houses the Sabyasachi bridal collection. The first floor is dedicated to the brand’s largest showcase of jewelry in the world, housing Fine, Heritage, and High Jewelry collections. And the second floor is home to womenswear, menswear, the international collection, and Sabyasachi Accessories.