Enter any Starbucks and you’ll see people on dates, and love stories blossoming, Sabyasachi Mukherjee tells me. “In a way Starbucks is in the business of matchmaking and we, in the business of weddings. It made complete sense.” He is talking about his latest collaboration, Starbucks India x Sabyasachi, and say what you might about his over-the-top marketing strategies and bridal looks, but you cannot deny him his way with words and his business acumen.
We suppose the designer was in a pensive mood because, unlike his other collaborations, this one has been rather quiet. Starbucks India x Sabyasachi, releasing on April 12 as an exclusive to India, is a line of drinkware, consisting of ceramic cups and steel tumblers. They all bear the signature Toile de Jouy flora and fauna art prints from his Art Foundation. Mukherjee has often pointed out the need to grow within a vocabulary, to create a lasting signature. To that end, the prints bear some resemblance to his sketches for the British luxury home brand, Thomas Goode, or certain pieces from his collaboration with American home decor brand, Pottery Barn. This line features eagles, alligators and his logo, the Bengal Tiger, all native to the landscape of his home town, in muted tones of green, red and charcoal black. They are sold as individuals, and will make for a fun mismatched coffee table set.
