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King of kitsch speaks…

PHOTOs : NAGARA GOPAL

Say cheese Sabyasachi Mukherjee with Ajita Reddy, Kamini Saraf, Manjula Reddy, Anjum Babukhan and Priyanka Allahabadi

Sabyasachi Mukherjee admits that he is hardly reachable to the world around when at work. When he steps out and visits Hyderabad, he does manage to keep a gathering of about 100 women — members of YFLO (Young Ficci Ladies Organisation) focused on his talk about his journey so far, the business of fashion and career prospects.

“My mother, an artist, wasn’t too successful in selling her paintings. I scored well in school and like most parents, my parents thought I’d become an engineer. When I squeaked that I wanted to become a designer, they took me to a psychiatrist! My mother thought I’d end up being another unsuccessful artiste like her,” he rewinds.

His beginnings: “My father, a chemical engineer working with the jute industry, lost his job when I was 15. My sister and I faced harsh realities since then. From living in a bungalow, we moved to a small house. The designer in me was inherent when I was a child, cutting up my sister’s clothes and dad’s socks to make new clothes. When I was studying at NIFT, I was invited by the Hyderabad Craft Council to exhibit my work here. I sent 10 saris from Kolkata and the next day they asked me to send a few more. I was informed that my saris had sold out. I then returned to another show in Hyderabad. My career began here.”

Are you cut out for fashion? “If you’re looking at fashion as a ticket to Page 3 or easy money, this isn’t the place for you. While studying history, if you are drawn by Alexander’s drapes than the kingdoms that he conquered, you can consider a career in fashion. And it needn’t be limited to designing; there’s scope for fashion journalists, stylists and master tailors. There’s no room for mediocrity. You need a clear understanding of the socio-economic situation of the world around you. For instance, as a designer, at this time I am aware that eco-friendly and organic clothing is catching on given the growing concern due to global warming.”

Not ready for prêt: “I’m not ready for prêt wear yet. I don’t have the resources and the corporate backing to get into mass production. Until then, my clothes will be exclusive and priced higher.”

Doing India proud: As a master craftsman who weaves magic with ethnic wear, he says, “We have such little faith in us that we have let the West exploit us. We realised that Kohlapuri chappals are fashionable only when we saw them on international ramps. This is the phase of India Proud and my works have an Indian soul.”

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