Two years after Sabyasachi Mukherjee unveiled an expansive namesake store in Manhattan’s West Village, the designer has unveiled a concept shop at Bergdorf Goodman.
Located on the fourth floor in the luxury retailer’s women’s store, the Sabyasachi outpost encompasses an array of the Kolkata, India-based designer’s creations. True to his elaborate taste, the ultra-luxe jewels, ready-to-wear, evening pieces and accessories are merchandised amid a rich interior with urns, tables, Indian rugs and antiques. The decor is reminiscent of the Christopher Street flagship, but Bergdorf Goodman’s 600-square-foot outpost is considerably more compact than the 5,800-square-foot downtown store.
Indicative of his far-reaching inspirations, the fall Sabyasachi collection was inspired by such diverse sources as the bylanes of Benaras, family-run factories in Prato, the steppes of Mongolia and the storied mills of Scotland. Drawing from a foundation of classic menswear tailoring and artisanal embroideries, Sabyasachi blends elements of couture techniques and luxury materials with a modern take.
The designer has been selling jewelry at Bergdorf Goodman since 2020. The connection was made after Linda Fargo, senior vice president of the fashion office and director of store presentation at Bergdorf Goodman, visited him in India and was impressed by the immersive and opulent retail spaces. Following the 2022 opening of the New York flagship, “The BG team was convinced that we needed to share our vision with their customers,” Mukherjee said, adding that the range is “for the luxury client who wants to venture beyond the ubiquitous and find unique and exclusive items that are not seen anywhere else.”
The designer and Bergdorf Goodman share a bond that is “rooted in a passion for opulent sophistication and unparalleled craftsmanship,” according to Fargo.
Describing the world of Sabyasachi as “immersive and distinct,” Fargo said it offers “a rare glimpse into the creative mind of a true original.” The retailer is looking forward to offering customers the opportunity to experience “the full breadth of his vision,” she said.
Bergdorf Goodman is launching the signature handbag collection that features leather styles and Sabyasachi’s handcrafted embroidery. The handbags retail from $1,500 to $6,000. There are also new high jewelry pieces. The designer said, “We have cultivated a clientele that knows us for the finest craftsmanship in jewelry. We wanted to share the entire world of Sabyasachi, which also preserves and promotes the same timeless skills and quality.”
Next month there will be a residency featuring Sabyasachi’s high jewelry at Printemps Doha, and two concept stores are slated to bow, in Hyderabad and Bangalore, starting in January. Events and activations are being planned in the U.S. next year too.
Looking ahead, the designer will be expanding his leather goods and fine jewelry business within India. In the U.S., there are plans to build up the high jewelry category with strategic activations. Mukherjee also said talks are underway to launch fragrance and beauty and to venture into eyewear.
Sabyasachi has made other inroads with other major brands, having been the first Indian designer and label to have collaborated with Estée Lauder, Christian Louboutin, Pottery Barn, H&M and Starbucks.
