Indian designer Sabyasachi brings a desi touch to H&M with his new collaboration

Over a year after it was first announced, the collaboration between Indian designer Sabyasachi and Swedish fashion giant H&M is finally available for viewing on the H&M website.

The Sabyasachi brand is known for its elaborate wedding designs and luxurious fits. The collaboration is full of flowing florals and delicate prints and even includes a sari. It was initially supposed to launch last year but was delayed due to the pandemic.

The collection will go live online on August 12 and be available in stores in 18 countries, including India, the US and Britain.

"When H&M asked what I wanted to do, I told them that in my head and heart I’m a traveller, and I want to create a travel wardrobe. So I asked myself how a collection could journey seamlessly from a palace in Jaipur to a pool party in LA,” the designer told Vogue India.

No changes have been made to the pre-Covid collection. There was no need for an update, Sabyasachi Mukherjee told Vogue. His focus was on timeless fashion and he believes his designs are more relevant today than they were last year, despite the collection being named Wanderlust. Most of the world is, of course, homebound and has been for the past year due to the pandemic.

"Once the pandemic is over, people will want to travel, and everyone’s concept of travel will differ. It will really be about just getting out of your home," he said. "The travel wardrobe will become more important than ever. We will travel lighter. People will want functional pieces and versatility will be of the essence. Women and men will both want modular wardrobes, so accessories will become even more important so that they can create multiple looks. It will become a question of practicality as well."

According to The Hindu, the designer had three conditions for H&M — the collection had to be India proud, it had to feature a sari, and a large part of the production had to be done in India.

The sari in question is a pink chiffon number with a small red pattern on it. It's retailing for INR 9,999 (Rs22,202).

There is also a men's collection, which has made liberal use of kurtas.

And an accessories section featuring jewellery and this very interesting pair of shoes.

The shoes, described as leather slingbacks decorated with engraved metal coins, are being sold for INR 4,999 (Rs11,100).

This isn't Sabyasachi's first international collaboration — the design house has worked with luxury shoemaker Christian Louboutin in the past — but it is the first time we're seeing South Asian representation at H&M. What do you think of the collection?