After facing severe backlash from netizens over the Sabyasachi and H&M collaboration, the famous Indian couturier released an official statement. He took to Instagram and shared an elaborate note on receiving thousands of emails and messages about his latest controversial collaboration. Sabyasachi Mukherjee shared that the idea behind this move was simply “wish fulfillment”. 

“It’s why I designed an extensive range, so everyone could get something. this would also mean giving unlimited access to our Bengal Tiger logo, something that we hold very close to us, it’s almost sacred. A lot of marketing folks would consider this strategy harakiri for a luxury brand, but I believe that sustainable success never comes from the mind, always from the heart,” the luxury designer wrote. 

He further shared how he was baffled by the response he received. A few minutes after the clothing range was launched, the website crashed and most of the merchandise was sold out. Sabyasachi was brutally trolled, wherein netizens claimed calling it a “big scam” and before they could add anything to the cart, the collection was sold out.

In response to this, Sabyasachi wrote, “I struggled with stubborn carts and crashing apps. I was determined to get hold of my first pair of Sabyasachi denims. (I’m almost embarrassed to tell you that I managed to score one, but one size down, because the rest had sold out!). I know a lot of people are disappointed, and I profoundly apologize for it. I’m sure I will be able to create a future business model that will address this need.”

He also shared a message for designers in India encouraging them to “be yourself”. For the longest time, my pet peeve was that globally we were considered a manufacturing country. I always wanted to break that glass ceiling, but on my own terms and in my own way. Where Designed in India, would stand strong alongside, Made in India. There is a market ready for every single one of us, there is only one secret to unlock it – just be yourself. Whoever you are. Shamelessly.”

Upon the news of Sabyasachi X H&M, many social media influencers had also trolled the hyped-up collaboration questioning why Sabyasachi’s brand, which is synonymous with slow fashion and worker ethics, would collaborate with a fast fashion brand which was accused of exploiting its workers and harming the environment. 

Besides this, both the brands were trolled on the cost of the products in the collection after each look was splashed on social media.