Designer Sabyasachi's H&M collaboration courts controversy before release

Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's collaborative collection with Swedish fast-fashion brand H&M has courted controversy even before its official release on August 12.

Influencers and brands on social media have called out the beloved fashion legend for working with a brand whose labour exploitation and unethical production practices are no secret.

SEE MORE H&M Saree? What you can buy from the Sabyasachi X H&M collection

Maker of affordable and trendy clothes, H&M's factories have been named in several worker abuse reports over the years. Whereas Sabyasachi has been considered a champion for the Indian fashion industry and an ardent supporter of local artisans.

For his part, the designer has claimed in press interviews that 90 per cent of the H&M line has been produced in India and all the patterns in the collaboration are hand-drawn by the Sabyasachi Art Foundation.

Priced between Rs. 2,000 to 10,000, the brand has also steered clear of calling this collection, a 'sustainable' one. 

Keeping in mind the pandemic situation, H&M is also pushing for a responsible in-store shopping experience, where customers will be asked to pre-register to shop the collection in stores.

But knowing H&M's history, it is not wrong to question the lack of transparency and actual execution of these tall claims.

If you're on the fence, it might be a good idea to shop directly from a homegrown craft or designer brand that makes goods in your preferred price range.