Opulent Outpost: Sabyasachi launches a flagship store in New Delhi

Fashion designer Sabyasachi’s celebrated aesthetic transcends textiles and spills over to interiors at his newly launched store in the capital. Spread over 13,500 sq ft on two levels, the visually stunning Sabyasachi showroom is ensconced inside a heritage building and boasts a grand staircase. Talking about his initial musings, the couturier who planned the store himself says, “I wanted it to stand for heritage, where time stands still… a space that talks about the nostalgia of the by-lanes of Kolkata. The store tells an evocative story of the brand.”
Hand-fired Portuguese tiles, antique mirrors, vintage photographs, lithographs, rich carpets and rugs were employed to create a luxurious atmosphere. Antique furniture and hand painted chandeliers are perfectly paired alongside Sabyasachi Art Foundation’s sculptures and artworks, Indian miniatures and calendar art. Dotting the store are block printed chintz, eclectic crockery, ittar bottles collected from old Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata as well as other vintage curios.
The space is divided into two wings: One houses women’s bridal wear, jewellery by Kishandas & Co for Sabyasachi and chests and luggage by Trunks Company Jaipur; the second has ready-to-wear saris and kurtas with a separate section for menswear. A pret line of clothing and revival of “Chota Sabya” will soon be launched here as well. Talking about how the space is a reflection of himself, the creative avers, “I have always loved decadence, baroque and organised clutter, and the store is based out of these three sensibilities. If I had a beautiful grand house, the living room would look exactly like this.”
Some of the impressive highlights include 63 pieces of art by Sabyasachi Art Foundation, 57 hand painted chandeliers, 732 ittar bottles, 112 antique carpets, 5 rare Tanjore paintings, 214 vintage Dutch plates, 318 hand retouched studio portraits, 42 pieces of calendar art, wallpaper by Sabysachi for Nilaya by Asian Paints and French period furniture sourced globally.
Where: Haveli no 6 to 8, Near Qutub Minar, New Delhi 30.Tel: (011) 26644350, 6644352Website: www.sabyasachi.com