New York: Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee has announced a landmark collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), New York, creating a long-term partnership that will explore the connection between historical art, global craftsmanship and contemporary luxury design.
The multi-year collaboration will officially begin during New York Fashion Week in September 2026, with the unveiling of a new High Jewellery collection inspired by the Byzantine Empire.
The partnership brings together The Met’s extensive collection spanning more than 5,000 years of global art and culture with Sabyasachi’s design philosophy rooted in Indian craftsmanship, heritage and storytelling.
Through the collaboration, selected artworks and historical objects from The Met’s collection will be reinterpreted through the lens of contemporary luxury, creating a dialogue between global artistic traditions and India’s living craft heritage.
Byzantine Inspiration Meets Indian Craftsmanship
For the inaugural chapter, Sabyasachi will draw inspiration from the art and cultural legacy of the Byzantine Empire, which existed from the fourth to the 15th century and was centred around Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).
Known as a major centre of commerce, culture and artistic exchange, Byzantium reflected the movement of ideas, materials and craftsmanship across continents.
The Met’s collection of Late Antique and Byzantine art includes monumental sculpture, mosaics, icons, metalwork, jewellery and luxury objects from regions including the eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and West Asia.
Using these historical references, Sabyasachi has reinterpreted elements such as imperial medallions, architectural details, ancient sculpture, religious iconography, stonework and ornamental motifs into a contemporary high jewellery language.
A Dialogue Between History And Modern Luxury
The collaboration represents a meeting point between museum heritage and modern design. Rather than replicating historical objects, Sabyasachi aims to reinterpret their stories through the craftsmanship of today.
Speaking about the collaboration, Sabyasachi Mukherjee said that the project is about engaging with one of the world’s greatest art collections and transforming centuries of creativity into contemporary expressions.
He highlighted the importance of cultural exchange, noting that the Byzantine world was shaped by movement of people, ideas and craftsmanship across regions, including connections with India through historical trade routes.
For Sabyasachi, this exchange reflects similarities with Kolkata, his hometown, which has also been shaped by commerce, culture and global influences.
Handcrafted In India By Master Artisans
Every piece from the collection will be conceived, developed and handcrafted in India by Sabyasachi’s master artisans.
The collection aims to showcase how India’s traditional craftsmanship can engage with global art histories while creating jewellery relevant for contemporary luxury consumers.
Stephen Mannello, Head of Retail and Global Licensing at The Met, said that the collaboration allows historic works from the museum’s collection to be viewed through the perspective of modern creators.
According to Mannello, the partnership will encourage audiences to explore connections between the past, present and future of art and design.
A New Chapter For Indian Luxury On A Global Stage
The collaboration marks another significant international milestone for Sabyasachi, whose work has consistently focused on blending Indian heritage with global luxury.
Following the debut collection, future projects under the partnership will continue exploring The Met’s vast collection, extending into categories including jewellery, accessories and clothing.
The inaugural high jewellery collection will be unveiled through a runway presentation during New York Fashion Week on 15 September 2026. The pieces will be available through the Sabyasachi flagship store at 160 Christopher Street, New York, along with select global Sabyasachi stores and speciality retailers worldwide.
The collaboration represents more than a luxury collection launch — it reflects a broader conversation between museums, craftsmanship and contemporary design, placing Indian jewellery artistry within a global cultural dialogue.
