Sabyasachi joins hands with 'The Met' for New York luxury fashion collaboration inspired by Byzantium

RENOWNED Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee will bring his distinctive take on luxury fashion to New York through a new collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, popularly known as The Met.

The multi-year partnership puts Indian craftsmanship and design in the spotlight at one of the world's most important museum collections. Sabyasachi will draw from The Met's collections for future jewelry, accessories and clothing collections, a statement said on Tuesday (11). The first project is a high-jewelry collection inspired by the Byzantine empire, which will be unveiled during New York Fashion Week on September 15.

“This collaboration is about engaging with one of the world’s great collections of art and the opportunity to reinterpret centuries of creativity through contemporary design,” the designer said.

“The Byzantine world was not defined by a single geography. It was shaped by the movement of people, ideas, and craftsmanship across continents including India. What fascinates me is not only Byzantium itself, but the civilizations that informed it and the extraordinary artistic dialogue that emerged from interactions through trade,” he added.

Centered in Constantinople, now Istanbul, the empire was known was its culture and trade. Mukherjee found inspiration in the way influences from Egypt, Greece, Rome, Persia and regions connected by the Silk Route came together, including India. For the collection, he explored works in The Met's Greek and Roman, Medieval and Islamic art departments.

Imperial medallions, sculptures, architectural details, stonework and religious imagery all became references for the jewelry. Stephen Mannello, head of retail and global licensing at The Met, said the partnership gives audiences a different way to experience the museum's collection. “We are passionate about uplifting stories of creativity and craftsmanship housed in The Met collection through collaborations with modern day makers,” Mannello said.

“Engaging with Sabyasachi and his team allows us to view works from antiquity through a new lens, shining a spotlight on stories of the past through his creative viewpoint. We look forward to sparking conversations that inspire fans of The Met and Sabyasachi to immerse themselves in the past, present, and future of art and design,” he added.

Mukherjee noted a connection between the history of Byzantium and his hometown. “I find similarities to my home, Calcutta, itself a commercial hub influenced by trade and exchange. Through this collaboration, we are able to transform historic inspiration into modern interpretations that feel relevant, beautiful, and desirable today,” he said.

The jewelry will be designed and handcrafted in India through Mukherjee’s network of artisans. Future projects under the partnership will explore other parts of The Met's collection and expand into clothing and accessories. The first collection will be sold at Mukherjee’s New York flagship at 160 Christopher Street in the West Village, as well as select boutiques and specialty retailers around the world.