Renowned Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee has expressed that businesses rooted in traditional craftsmanship and local culture should be exempt from international tariffs, especially in the context of increasing global trade tensions. Speaking amid the ongoing debate surrounding U.S. tariffs on imported goods, Mukherjee advocates for a distinction between mass-produced products and those that serve as vessels of cultural heritage.

“Products that generate soft power—particularly those made with craft—should be free of trade restrictions,” Mukherjee emphasized during a fireside chat at the Business of Fashion’s Crossroads event in Dubai. “We don’t live in a monoculture. People want diversity, and craft is at the heart of that diversity.”

He argues that tariffs designed to protect domestic industries may unintentionally hinder the growth of global cultural exchange. “Some products may warrant tariffs, yes. But handmade textiles, art, and artisanal fashion are not just goods—they’re living legacies,” he said. “We must allow them to travel freely, because they enrich the world far beyond economic value.”

Mukherjee sees this as especially relevant for countries like India, where luxury isn’t a foreign concept but a deeply ingrained part of the cultural fabric. “Luxury in India isn’t new. What’s new is the rediscovery of it through modern storytelling,” he said.

The Future of Luxury: Craft, Authenticity, Legacy

Looking ahead, Mukherjee predicts a shift in consumer focus from logo-driven luxury to craft-driven authenticity. “As the world enters what I call the ‘age of wisdom,’ people will buy brands that support ecosystems, that protect culture, and that feel human.”

In this evolving landscape, he believes tariffs on craft-based businesses act as a deterrent to the kind of global dialogue luxury should inspire. “Let craft move freely,” he urges. “Because when we protect heritage, we don’t just protect the past—we create a richer, more diverse future.”