Global brand launches sari @ Rs 4 lakhs

It’s a proud moment for India, the sari has been introduced on the global fashion platform by French luxury label Hermes. But, there’s a catch, the highly priced samples of the limited-edition line look like flea market stuff to some.

It’s a proud moment for India — the elegant sari has been introduced on the global fashion platform by French luxury label Hermes. But, there’s a catch — the just-released samples of the limited-edition line look like flea market stuff to some.

HT Image

Internationally too, fashion experts and followers have slammed the designs for lacking creativity and still bearing a price tag of $6,100 to $8,200 (Rs 3 lakh - Rs 4 lakh).

In India, while designers are happy that this might make the garment a hit abroad, they say there’s much scope for betterment. “I don’t see any wow factor in these saris. They are not super beautiful and not really worth a Hermes tag,” says designer Anand Kabra.

Stylist Rishi Raj says, “The interpretation of this simple piece of fabric has left me a bit disappointed.” Rina Dhaka, who is a Hermes patron, says, “They specialise in silk printing and this is their interpretation ... they look fine, but are not the most appealing prints.”

The contemporary collection of four patterns, introduced by the design house which opened a new store in Mumbai a few months ago, has been created in Paris under the guidance of Pierre-Alexis Dumas. But, they lack the brand’s signature feel, says Nandini Bhalla, editor, Cosmopolitan fashion magazine. "The design could have been so much more impactful if they had picked one of the brand’s iconic scarf designs to convert into a sari," she says.

Online comments reflect the same sentiment
Simi Singh, 24, writes, “Considering they come from Hermes, they don’t make the cut. I see such saris in Lajpat and Sarojini Nagar.” “Yawn!! There’s nothing that stands out about these saris. No rich colours, lacework or embroidery, just a very high price tag,” remarks Jessica Stanley on the preview images online. Another comment, from UK-based Jay, reads, “Local markets in Indian towns in Gujarat have better designs and probably better quality.”