Sabya's style take: Makeover Mallika, sari for Kat!

In an interview with rediff.com, ace fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee discusses everything from his first pay packet to Prince William's wife-to-be Kate Middleton.

You have been quoted as saying that this is your last season at Lakme Fashion Week. Is that true?

No I didn't make any such statement and the second thing is that I'm from Kolkata, so I don't fit into this Mumbai-Delhi debacle that you are talking about.

The thing is that people here pay too much importance to the time slot they get, what shows they get. I did a sponsored show because the cause was good. I am someone who is happy to do my own shows because then I don't have to go through the creative controls of some corporate. I can do my own little thing.

Honestly, if you are very serious about your clothes and if you design very good clothes then you should not be talking about other things. I think it is completely pointless.

Okay then, give us some summer fashion tips for this season.

I think summer dressing should be very easy and simple with a lot of bright colours. Summer is meant not to be cluttered and wearing a lot of boldness, whether it is a silhouette, colour or print.

What according to you is the fashion mistake most women make?

They try too hard. They always try to match their handbags to their clothing. And they're always putting on too much makeup.

They wear clothes that are uncomfortable but wear them because that's the trend. And they take themselves much, much too seriously -- when you are at ease, everything looks good on you.

Any tips you could share to look slimmer and taller?

There is no tip to look slimmer or taller; it's all in the head. If you think you are taller, you will look taller. It's as simple as that.

Who would you say needs a makeover, like right now?

I can give you hundreds of names but Rakhi Sawant, Mallika Sherawat...Umm, there are so many more but I can't give you all the names right now!

Tell us about your first paypacket as a designer when Sabyasachi was not 'the' Sabyasachi.

Well, I clearly remember I was doing a designing and choreography assignment for Ms Bengal. I was straight out of college and I got Rs 800 for one week of work. I was really very excited.

What difference did it make to your career?

It didn't make any difference, because it was not a milestone in my career. But the fact is that it made me much more sure about what I wanted to get into as a career.

What should young fashion designers do to make their mark?

Believe in yourself, because if you have a point of view that is your own, then the whole world will believe in you. And I think it is important to have a personal point of view in fashion, because when people buy your clothes they buy you for your mind, they don't buy you to copy somebody else.

So be yourself.

Who would you say is the most stylish cricketer right now?

Wait a minute...hold on...I don't even know his name! Umm...Virat Kohli.

What do you like about his style?

I think there is something very casual and young about him. There is a lot of energy in that guy -- he looks good in his endorsements and I think he is a very stylish cricketer.

He is stylish not only for his clothes but also for the energy he exudes. It's about his personality.

How would you dress Imran Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan?

Imran, Ranbir and Shah Rukh should all wear simple clothes because they are naturally good-looking men. They should wear organic textiles and maybe a lot more of black and white.

How would you dress Katrina, Kareena and Vidya Balan?

Katrina and Kareena -- I would like to see them in saris. There is nothing I'd like to change about Vidya because she is extremely well-dressed in organic saris.

Does the sari need saving?

Absolutely not anymore. It's been saved by a whole lot of people all over the country.

Including yourself?

Absolutely.

Do you think Kate Middleton will make a fashion icon like Lady Diana?

Well, we will have to give her a chance. She is a very beautiful girl and there is a certain amount of delicate poise and charm around her. I am sure she is. They're very large shoes to fit into but she is.

How would you dress her if you were invited to do so for her wedding?

In a very simple but beautiful, elegant white gown because I think nothing is better than a white wedding.

As a veteran, which young Indian designers do you think are worth watching out for?

I'd say Kallol Dutta from Kolkata. Then I think Varun Sardana from Delhi and my favourite designer Aneeth Arora who has a brand called 'Pero'. I think she is the most fantastic young talent to watch out for.