Sabyasachi Calcutta x H&M collection is launching on August 12

Storied fashion house Sabyasachi Calcutta is teaming up with the Swedish high street giant H&M for a collection that will finally hit stores on August 12.

Originally slated for release in April 2020, the launch was postponed because of the pandemic. Now, a post on Sabyasachi's official Instagram account has teased the imminent arrival of the collection, with the words "the wait is finally over".

Sabyasachi Calcutta is famous for its hand-embellished couture, saris and fine jewellery, and the H&M tie-up has been hotly anticipated. It will be available in selected H&M stores and online from Thursday.

While details are scant, we know the collection was originally called Wanderlust and it builds on Sabyasachi’s love of traditional Indian handicraft.

The teaser video shows founder and designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee putting the finishing styling touches on models. There is a fleeting glimpse of loose scarves, tunics, waistcoats and even a biker jacket, in breezy cotton chintz, which is originally from India, clearly a nod to the handicraft both India and Sabyasachi are known for. There is also a printed T-shirt, sun visors and leather sandals, as well as tables filled with chunky gold-coloured jewellery.

“I am happy to announce the collaboration with H&M, as it gives us the opportunity to spread the Sabyasachi aesthetic to a wider audience in India and worldwide," Sabyasachi said of the collaboration when announcing it last year. "Having done couture for the majority of my career, it is very exciting to bring that finesse of craft to ‘ready-to-wear’ and create whimsical and fluid silhouettes that bring relaxed sophistication to everyday life.”

While the UAE is not included on the list of 18 countries that will have the collection in-store, H&M has promised an additional 48 online markets will sell the items. The countries it will be available in-store include India, the US, South Africa, UK, Austria, Mexico, France, Sweden, Singapore, the Philippines and South Korea.

Needless to say, with an audience kept waiting for more than a year, this collaboration will no doubt sell out very quickly.