"Why lipstick," we asked Sabyasachi Mukherjee, arguably India's (and South Asia's) brightest and most globally-recognised name in fashion. For context, this interview happened before the drop of the new Estée Lauder X Sabyasachi limited-edition lipstick collection. Ten shades, available in satin matte and ultra matte formulations, with a colour palette that beautifully whispers (we don't shout in this house) 'India. A collaboration that - we're calling it - will break the internet (and sales.) Sabyasachi's response? "To answer that, I would have to say - why beauty?"
In the conversation that followed, we learned that this is an idea that was sown two decades ago, given how Sabya observes the future. "A lot of people think that I'm like a fashion mafia because, if I look at the kind of girls that I've dressed up - all the Bollywood girls, whether Rani [Mukerji], Vidya [Balan], Asin, Aishwarya [Rai Bachchan]. Bipasha [Basu], Deepika [Padukone], Priyanka [Chopra Jonas], Katrina [Kaif]. Alia [Bhatt] - they're all very diverse, but, when they wear Sabyasachi, they all have a very unified beauty look," he explains. "Most girls would do a smokey eye, a pale lip, centre-parted hair with a bindi, gajra... Aishwarya perfected the red 'Sabya' lip in Guzaarish. I think most actresses have done two iterations of Sabya beauty: smokey eyes with pale lips, or they've done a winged eyeliner and a red lip. Both have come from very deep influences. One has come from old Hollywood, Madonna, old Bollywood, silent films, [Marilyn] Monroe. And the other one has come from the Kama Sutra, Frida Kahlo, Mira Nair, Bharatnatyam, Kathak..."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Get Out Of Text Tension
Ravina M Sachdev shares insights on how fexting might be ruining your relationship and how it can backfire in the long run
Pick Your Patterns Of Love
Prachi Rijhwani teaches you a thing or two about how to embrace healthy dating practices
TAME THAT TEMPER
You've probably seen children sprawled out on the floor in department stores or during festive occasions. Ever pondered the reason behind their behaviour? It is called toddler aggression and here's how to handle it.
HOW YOUR PALS POWER YOUR LOVE
Prachi Rijhwani discusses the positive impact of healthy friendships on your love life
An ITALIAN AFFAIR
TOSCANO has just opened another outpost in Wakad, and Pune is all for it
MAKING IT BIG
Restaurateur DHAVAL UDESHI talks to Ravina M Sachdev about starting from scratch in hospitality and making it big
SUNDAY BRUNCHES WITH Avartana's Award-Winning Food
Enjoy a Sunday brunch with the meticulously-curated menus at concept restaurant AVARTANA at ITC Maratha, Mumbai.
Of Culture And Curry
EDDIE SCOTT, winner of MasterChef UK 2022, knew that he needed to expand the West's horizon of Indian food beyond the notion of butter chicken and curry. He tells Shraddha Kamdar how he has attempted to do it with his book Misarana
THE WAY OF THE WATER
Happy, luxurious, chic, good times are the only way to roll on a vacation. AMBIKA MUTTOO has found her new favourite spot in the Indian Ocean, and is letting you in on the secret
HOT RIGHT NOW
All things fresh and fun in the beauty space