When Sabyasachi launches a new collection, it’s almost vital for everyone in the world of social media to stop, pause, freak out, drool, and then move on with their lives. This time when he dropped his new collection ‘Kesribai Pannalal’ on social media last night, I was glued to the photos for more than an HOUR! The splash of colors, intricate embroidery, semi-precious stones and zardozi borders, added freshness to the designs he created.

Sabyasachi Mukherjee spoke about how he has always been fascinated by the way Indian women dress – our multiple options when choosing clothing and jewelry and our complex rituals and traditions of beauty. Amrita Sher-Gil, Protima Bedi, Aditi Mangaldas, Mallika Sarabhai, and Rekha, to name a few, are perhaps the inspiration behind this collection. Not only are these women fiercely individualistic, they also have been some of the greatest ambassadors of Indian indigenous art and crafts.

An Ornate Lehenga In Ivory Silk

“This ivory silk is first hand-painted, then appliquéd with tea-dyed velvet and over-layered with the finest of zardosi, coffee-stained pearls, rhinestones, crystals and semi-precious stones. From start to finish the entire ensemble took over 5340 hours to finish, giving it the quality of a modern heirloom.” – Sabyasachi

A Kumquat Lehenga

“A ‘Kumquat’ lehenga hand-embroidered with silk-floss thread, zardosi and rhinestones and framed with heritage zardosi borders. Statement choker and earrings from the Sabyasachi Heritage Jewelry Collection give this outfit a whimsical and playful yet heritage feel.” – Sabyasachi

The ‘Dil-Guldasta’ Lehenga

“The lehenga is intricately embroidered on Bordeaux silk with hand-dyed velvet appliques, silk-floss, beaten silver and gold thread and rose-tinted crystals and rhinestones. The look is accessorized with jewellery from the Sabyasachi Heritage Jewellry Collection and romanticized with a sheer, diaphanous, embroidered veil.” – Sabyasachi

A Moss Green Silk Lehenga

There is something about the festive season, happiness is in the air around us. Vintage brocades and bandhinis are brought out for the vibrant  and festive days. One goes weak in the knees by bringing out family jewels, crinkling of glass bangles, endless rounds of mithai and seeing our loved ones tie the knot. Indian traditions are beautiful, cultural and are just the circle of life - they go on for eternity.