Sabyasachi Mukherjee is well-established as a trendsetter and a pathbreaker in fashion. Yet again, this fashion veteran caught our attention when he took the essence of Bengal's craftsmanship and diversity all the way to London and into Buckingham Palace. That's right, the designer created 'Shola' masks for King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Animal Ball 2023, a prestigious event that recently took place in London.
The Bengali designer has always been known as a revivalist of Indian roots. This time Sabyasachi's sartorial choices created a new benchmark, shining the spotlight on Bengal's artisanal heritage. The Shola elephant masks are handcrafted using age-old artisanal techniques and materials that were made in collaboration with the artists from the Sabyasachi Art Foundation and the master craftspeople of Bengal. The designer took to Instagram to share the story behind the masks worn by the British royalty, "I like to tell hyper local stories to the world in an attempt to create economic sustainability for heritage crafts and craftspeople." The masks celebrate the significance of Bengal's most treasured heritage crafts.
Also Read: Designer Sabyasachi's Flagship Mumbai Store With Stunning Aesthetics Is Now Open To Public
He also mentioned the process of carving the masks, "Shola is the craft of carving sholapith, the spongey cork from the aquatic plant that grows in the marshlands of Bengal. Every year the craftspeople make decorations for the deities and entire structures during the Durga Puja celebrations-that is a part of UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Shola Masks are made in homage to Bengal's living heritage and culture."
Also Read: Masaba Gupta Looks Like A Quintessential Maharani In A Stunning Sabyasachi Lehenga
CommentsAfter opening his store in New York's West Village in 2022 and collaborating with H&M in 2021, it's safe to say the designer's milestones only keep being elevated.
