From design to direction

At a time when most of India’s fashion designers are either showcasing at Delhi’s Wills India Fashion Week or gearing up for their shows at Mumbai’s Lakme Fashion Week,Sabyasachi Mukherjee seems to have set his eyes on expansion. Instead of showcasing his creations for the current season,under his label Sabyasachi,Mukherjee chose to talk about his design ethos as part of the two-day India Design Forum (IDF) 2013. Held at Mumbai’s National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) on Friday,his session on “The importance of heritage in branding Indian design” saw him delve into his fascination for the past. “My work speaks of a time when people had a lot more time as their lives weren’t corrupted by information and technology. What people made then,was pure luxury and I’m trying to bring that back,” says the couturier.

He also revealed how his love for cinema,art and interiors is dictating the new course his company is now taking. For one,he is already scouting for space in Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda area to set up an art gallery. “Under the aegis of the Sabyasachi Arts Foundation,I am looking at giving deserving artists their due. My gallery at Kala Ghoda will showcase the works of these artists from across India and I am looking at hosting our first exhibition anytime between end of this year and next spring,” he says.

While there are many who would willingly pursue the designer to design their homes,Mukherjee himself is instead eager on design projects for public spaces and eateries. “As a foodie,my ultimate dream is to open a restaurant or a coffee shop; I’d be glad to design the interiors for such a place,” says Mukherjee.

Alongside,Mukherjee is working on the script for his debut film — centred around hometown Kolkata — which is almost ready. “The film will be a drama and fashion won’t be the focus,” he says. Not one who allows his vision to be diluted,the designer will follow this principal in movie making too. “Therefore,I will get my finances in order and produce the film myself,apart from directing it,” he says.