Imagine discovering a secret hideout that takes you into the bygone era that indulges all your senses with sights and sounds that are carefully curated by a dreamer. When we visited the newly opened flagship store of Kolkata based designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee at One Style Mile, Mehrauli, we were floored by the decadent influences from art, fashion and luxury that fused under one roof in tandem. Spread over two wings and 13,500 sq ft, divided by a heritage monument with a grand staircase, the one-of-its-kind store is nothing less than an art museum.
While speaking to us, the recluse designer Sabyasachi, mentioned, “When i was making this store i thought to myself that i have to design a place where i can live, this store had to be a reflection of me and my sensibilities. For my customers luxury shouldn’t be intimidating and so i created this atmosphere where people can walk in leisure without feeling overwhelmed by shining lights and mirrors.”
The store has a fine finish of Portuguese tiles, antique mirrors, vintage photographs, lithographs, rich carpets and rugs layered with patina of age decorate the walls of the store. It has various segments that has antique furniture, hand painted chandeliers with Dutch and oriental porcelain. An interesting touch with artworks adds a royal touch to the walls as paintings and sculptures from The Sabyasachi Art Foundation inspired by Qajar paintings from Persian dynasty, Indian miniatures and calendar art accentuate the corners of the store. Block printed chintz, eclectic crockery, ittar bottles collected from Old Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata, vintage curios and fresh mogra fragrance will leave you mesmerized in this boutique luxury store.
The first wing houses women’s bridal wear, jewellery by Kishandas & Co. for Sabyasachi, and trunks and luggage by Trunks Company, Jaipur. Whereas, the second wing has ready to wear, saris and kurtas with a separate floor for menswear. (*Details as provided by the brand states there are 63 pieces of art by the Sabyasachi Art Foundation, 57 hand painted chandeliers, 732 ittar bottles, 112 antique carpets, 5 rare Tanjores, 214 vintage Dutch plates, 318 hand retouched studio portraits, 42 pieces of calendar art, Wallpaper by Sabyasachi for Nilaya by Asian Paints and Colonial, turn of the century and French period furniture sourced globally).
For all those who are married and not-married-yet, a visit to store will definitely compel you to think about fairytale weddings that are made of curated experiences such as these. We leave with you a few glimpses of what’s in store when you go shopping at Sabya’s dream boutique.
~ JB
