CULTURAL MAGPIE
Travel+Leisure India|May 2023
The maximalist who put Indian art and craft on the global stage and that too on his own unapologetic terms, tells CHIRAG MOHANTY SAMAL about his fantastical new store in Mumbai, why travel is necessary for creativity, and how the traveller’s aesthetic resonates with him
CHIRAG MOHANTY SAMAL
CULTURAL MAGPIE

HE IS A GLOBAL powerhouse; his designs have elevated Indian maximalism onto a pedestal. One of the most coveted couturiers of his time, Sabyasachi Mukherjee has revived heritage craft, textiles, and techniques and given them a modern identity but within the precinct of time-honoured culture. In his latest store in Mumbai, which also happens to be his biggest so far, Mukherjee fuses his fantastical imagination with all things luxury and decadent. The store houses 100 hand-cut chandeliers, 275 carpets, 3,000 books, and 150 works of art created by the Sabyasachi Foundation. A fairy-tale haven filled with curios like Tang dynasty pottery, French Art Nouveau cabinets, and vintage handcrafted furniture, the new store represents what Mukherjee calls himself—a cultural magpie. In an exclusive interview, he reveals how the bohemian men and women in Kolkata have shaped his thoughts and why a pending trip to the Taj Mahal has got him obsessed with the historic monument.

EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERVIEW: 

Your new store is like an art gallery— exquisite and stunningly beautiful. How long did it take to execute your grand plans?

It was in the making for about a year and a half. When you build a maximalist store, you really can’t pre-plan beyond a certain point. It happens organically, layer upon layer, it builds over days and months and finally you just have to stop at some point. 

What is your favourite section in the store?

Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Travel+Leisure India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Travel+Leisure India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA TRAVEL+LEISURE INDIASe alt
SOARING ABOVE THE REST
Travel+Leisure India

SOARING ABOVE THE REST

Surrounded by stunning mountain views yet located in the city centre, the Hilton Kathmandu captures the essence of Nepali culture and cuisine.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
HEARTWARMING HOSPITALITY
Travel+Leisure India

HEARTWARMING HOSPITALITY

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in India has 60 hotels under its umbrella, all of which offer exceptional hospitality, a comfortable stay, and memories for a lifetime.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
FOOD IS ART,
Travel+Leisure India

FOOD IS ART,

and we truly believe so-which is exactly what the fifth edition of the Delicious Dining Awards 2024 celebrated, acknowledged, and honoured. From the stalwarts of the F&B industry choosing the restaurants, cafes, and menus that they love to readers picking their favourites across restaurants and bars in leading hotels to the growing offerings of homegrown spirits and mixers as well as applauding for the T+L tastemakers who are changemakers in their own way, this year's DDA was all about the artistic excellence of the culinary industry in our country.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
The Great Wide Open
Travel+Leisure India

The Great Wide Open

At a new camp in the steppes of central Mongolia, Kate Eshelby saddles up for the adventure of a lifetime.

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024
Life Of Pai
Travel+Leisure India

Life Of Pai

Japleen Kaur escapes to this lesser known Thailand town that's right out of a dreamy storybook

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
EAT, PRAY, LOVE with ABHAY DEOL
Travel+Leisure India

EAT, PRAY, LOVE with ABHAY DEOL

When he's not playing characters that'll leave an impression for a lifetime, Abhay Deol is a homebody in pursuit of new creative skills. SAMREEN TUNGEKAR spends the day at the actor's Goa casa-a home he's built himself and discovers his approach to life, travel, and the importance of replenishment

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
Space Odyssey
Travel+Leisure India

Space Odyssey

Couturier Amit Aggarwal talks to Chirag Mohanty Samal about how travel inspires him to create, reflect, and innovate

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
HANOI LIKE A LOCAL
Travel+Leisure India

HANOI LIKE A LOCAL

The 1,000-year-old capital city offers a time-travel experience with its hearty dose of culture, an elegant fusion of architectural styles, and a fascinating food and coffee heritage

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024
FARM FAB
Travel+Leisure India

FARM FAB

Enjoy the gift of nature without sacrificing your comforts at Oleander Farms for your upcoming family holiday

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
10 Emerging Experiences in Asia
Travel+Leisure India

10 Emerging Experiences in Asia

Thrilling, relaxing, exciting and indulgent-here is our handpicked list of must-dos that bare the vibrant and diverse soul of this fascinating continent

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2024