"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
THE GOODNESS OF GHEE
What: The Pure Cow Ghee range for babies with sensitive skin from Himalaya Babycare
Hello Hyderabad!
The Kaftan Company makes its debut in Hyderabad with a physical store
A COSMIC CULINARY JOURNEY
Located in the vibrant heart of Kolkata, That Place Bowl & Bar aims to be something out of the ordinary
BIG ON THE SCREEN
Writer-director INDIRA DHAR is no newcomer to international film festivals, but a standing ovation at Cannes for her latest film was an unforgettable experience. She talks to Shraddha Kamdar about the inspiration, her love for films and more
COMMAND RESPECT EFFORTLESSLY
Try these strategies if you hate not being taken seriously.
FIND CALM IN CHAOS
Deal with difficult situations using the principles of stoicism.
GREENER IN THE CUP
Samiksha Bhowmik details why a cup of matcha needs to be part of your diet
THE BEST OF TWO VIBRANT WORLDS
LYLA, in Mumbai's BKC, seamlessly blends Central American vibrancy with Californian flair
A Melange Of the Middle East & Indian Spices
Bringing contemporary twists to tradition, MERCHANT & ME is a youthful urban space for cuisine and cocktails in Pune
10 REASONS WHY SEYCHELLES COULD BE YOUR DREAM DESTINATION
Seychelles hits all the high notes on the romance roster whether you're on honeymoon or a love break.