Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the celebrated fashion designer who needs no introduction, has been in the news recently for his “controversial” comment on saree and Indian women. “I think, if you tell me that you do not know how to wear a saree, I would say shame on you. It’s a part of your culture, (you) need stand up for it,” Sabyasachi was quoted as saying to the Indian students at the Harvard India Conference. The statement sparked a debate and several people stared slamming the designer across social media.
Now, Sabyasachi has written a three-part open letter rendering an apology. He has even explained the logic behind using that statement. An excerpt of his letter goes like this:
“To begin, allow me to sincerely apologise for the words that I used while answering impromptu questions at a conference at Harvard. I am sorry that I used the word ‘shame’ in reference to some women’s inability to wear a sari. I truly regret that the way in which I tried to make a point about the sari enabled it to be interpreted as misogynistic, patriarchal, and non-inclusive – this was certainly not my intention.
Let me provide some context for those of you who may not have listened to the speech I gave at Harvard. A woman had asked me to comment on the cultural taboo of young women wearing saris because, as she said, society tells them that it ‘makes them look older’. ‘What is your suggestion’, she asked, ‘for those young generations, to break that taboo and embrace the sari…’ Unbeknownst to many, this is a question I field often with friends and customers. The ubiquity of such sentiments in our culture, evidenced by the fact that this question was posed to me at Harvard, of all places, was hard-hitting and triggered an unfortunate series of reactions on my part. Sometimes, when you are that invested in your craft, you become hypersensitive to the negativity surrounding that which you love.”
Check out the complete Three-Part open letter he posted on Instagram:
At the Harvard India Conference, Sabyasachi referred to his recent conversation with Deepika Padukone, saying the “Padmaavat” actor, in her own way, is creating disruption in fashion. “She wears saree at all the places she goes,” he told the participants here. When asked why he decided to launch a label of Indian clothing, Sabyasachi said he found a “major disconnect” when he observed Indian women and men losing touch with their roots. They are becoming “socially insecure”, he rued.
