A feast for the eyes and a treat for the ears – excuse the juvenile attempt at poetry but how else is one to describe the fusion of two prominent artists of today? “A design showcase by Sabyasachi Mukherjee” organised as a special initiative by The Hindu featured vocals by Bombay Jayshri – a fusion by two renowned artists of two varied fields. While Sabyasachi has become a staple in couture circles across the world, Bombay Jayshri is famed for her Oscar nomination for an Original Sound Track. A collaboration that drew the best from the fields of fashion and Carnatic music – add to that a silent auction of some exquisite Sabyasachi creations where the proceeds go to charity and you have the event of the season.

After the first show in Hyderabad – at the iconic Taj Faluknama Palace Hotel – the second one was held at The Leela Palace Chennai and saw the city’s who’s who gathered together in what could be the most stylish event in the Southern capital.

Showcasing the collection called ‘Opium’ that he debuted recently at Delhi Couture Week, Sabyasachi had the audience watching in awe as he sent down an array of models in outfits that shimmered and glittered, more from the generous dose of sequins than the gorgeous jewellery they were carrying off. Starting with creams and champagne colours moving onto beiges and dusty pinks and some dark blacks and a piece or two in deep red, this Mughal-inspired collection had a very Western colour scheme – he shunned the bright colours for a more muted palette, instead letting the intricate detailing to, rather literally, shine through. The European influences were visible in the materials with lots of lace, tulle, nets and rich velvets while the work was classic Indian threadwork and embroidery, and of course plenty of sequins. An unusual sight was the use of classic English florals on lehengas and even bandhgalas on the men – once even with a matching turban! It may be the era of the metrosexual man but it’ll take a groom who’s extremely comfortable with his self– or extremely blinded by love – to wear a pink floral printed kurta and pyjama with matching turban to his wedding!

From classic lehengas and sarees to full length dresses and duster coats, from deconstructed salwar kameezes for the women to bandhgalas with jodhpur pants and matching turbans for the men, the collection seemed to be inspired from both the east and the west, but they all seemed to be headed in the same direction – the big, fat, opulent Indian wedding.

As models sashayed down, with Bombay Jayshri’s mellifluous aalaps providing the perfect accompaniment to this 1920s inspired collection, one could almost imagine a Mughal court from the days gone by filled with opulent clothes and jewellery and the best of artisans performing for royalty – or in this case, the privileged few who witnessed Chennai’s coming of age in the fashion circuit.

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