Connect with us

Fashion

How Radhika Jain followed her dream of building MiRA

Published

on

FWD Life How Radhika Jain followed her dream of building MiRA (1)

Radhika Jain, creator of MiRA, the jewellery label that blew everyone away at a recent showcase, gives an exclusive interview to FWD Life

Pleasant, polite and exuding elegance, Radhika Jain is the quintessential lady and FWD Life had the pleasure of meeting her and experiencing her jewellery collection, ‘Garden of Eden’, at the Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2017. Later, we spoke about her jewellery, the brand, MiRA; an inspiring conversation with a woman exploring her creativity.

Let’s start with something everybody wants to know. What, would you say, was the inspiration behind “Garden of Eden” and were you able to realize that in your collection?

As a child, I was always surrounded by gardens, there was one at home, and then there were those floral sarees that my mother used to wear. I think I was very close to nature as I grew up, and so the “Garden of Eden” just seemed to stem from that. And you can see that from all the birds and the roses I seem to have included in my collection.

And what materials did you use this time?

I mainly used synthetic ivory and gold-plated metal. But it was all handcrafted. And even though it was artificial ivory, the artisans had to be experienced in working with real ivory and use those same techniques while working with this material.

FWD Life How Radhika Jain followed her dream of building MiRA (3)

Was the similarity with Kerala’s traditional clothing, the ivory and gold, intentional?

Perhaps. I try to give importance to the culture of Bengal, and maybe that’s why there is a similarity. There is a lot of ivory used in Bengal too, the shakha pola, for example, that married women wear.

How long have you been designing jewellery? Was there a turning point, when you realised this is what you simply had to do?

It’s been six to seven years now. And there was definitely a turning point, which was completely by chance. I was a science student and had intended to pursue medical studies, but instead, while at my grandparents’ home one summer holiday, I saw my cousin making jewellery. I was fascinated, and got completely hooked.

How did you decide on the name – MiRA?

Oh that was a combination of things. It’s primarily a tribute to Ra, the Egyptian Sun God and stands for creativity, power and individuality. Also, it’s a combination of my name and that of the person who taught me jewellery design.

FWD Life How Radhika Jain followed her dream of building MiRA (2)

How would you describe the woman who chooses to wear MiRA?

I want the woman who wears MiRA to be confident in herself. She should be connected to her roots, and be a person who is a bold, independent individual. A complete lady, in my opinion. I’m not saying that only a particular set of people can wear MiRA. Anyone can. But when a woman chooses MiRA, maybe she becomes all this too.

How long does the process – from conceptualisation to final product – of creating one piece of jewellery take?

If a piece is being repeated, then it will be ready within a month. But if you’re talking about the entire process beginning with the conceptualisation of the piece, it’s design, the technicalities involving the different craftstmen who work on a single piece, then it easily takes two to three months, especially since you need to be particular about the quality of each aspect of the piece.

Do you have any advice for aspiring jewellery designers?

My advice to them is- “be original”. I haven’t had any formal training in jewellery design, so a lack of formal training, I can safely say, is no hurdle. They shouldn’t categorise themselves as traditional or modern, but be open to every possibility. What they should focus on, is their work, drawing inspiration from things around them, without having to copy the work of others. They should be versatile, use new materials, or old materials in new ways. That is the art of design.

To read the complete interview, subscribe to our digital copy: https://goo.gl/HGTOLN

Images: Various sources

Advertisement
Comments

Cover Story

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s Traditional Ladakh’s Heritage Attire

Published

on

As Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding festivities come to an end, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja chose to dress in Ladakh traditional garb. The event featured a number of topics, with India’s rich past being the focus yesterday night. Sonam Kapoor Ahuja emphasized this by dressing in Namza Couture, which was established in 2016 by Padma Yangchan and Jigmet Disket and is renowned for its commitment to Ladakhi fabrics.

 The Mogos, a gown-like item with a shimmering zari border and pistachio green brocade, was part of Sonam’s ensemble. She wore a rani-pink shawl called a “Bok,” which is usually made from silk or goat skin and is worn to keep warm by the locals. This outfit was made of silk by Benaras artisans, and it had intricate phoenix embroidery, which stands for knowledge and vigor. It also had a crane image, which stands for prosperity and peace.

Her jewelry selections also honored custom; she wore a neckpiece set with diamonds and an emerald stone in the center. She accessorized this with striking statement rings and copper handcuffs, all tastefully matched with pearl earrings. She chose metallic juttis to complete her look, and she carried a bespoke purse by re-ceremonial.

Continue Reading

Cover Story

Decoding Wedding Looks of Rakul Preet Singh & Jackky Bhagnani

Published

on

The most anticipated nuptials of the year were that of Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky  Bhagnani. When the famous couple released official images from their wedding ceremony a while back, the anticipation surrounding seeing them in their wedding finery finally subsided. The couple looked stunning together as they exchanged vows in a sundowner ceremony in South Goa, becoming husband and wife. 

The wedding outfit of Rakul Preet Singh has everyone in awe! In terms of bridal style,she is a shining example of grace and elegance. Examine her gorgeous lehenga in great detail, taking note of its elaborate design and the symbolic significance of its colours. Examine her jewelery selections, beauty tips, and hairstyle specifics. Take inspiration from Rakul’s sophisticated and magnificent wedding look and pick some style advice for your own unique occasion.

Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani, the romance of the hour, likewise made the choice to forgo the vivid colour scheme in favour of delicate pink and ivory tones. The couple held their partners close to each other while flashing their million-dollar smiles in the official pictures they shared on the internet.

Rakul’s custom-made pastel pink lehenga by Tarun Tahiliani made her look like a dream. The actress donned a skirt covered in hundreds of small floral designs that were heavily glittered, beaded, and pearl-studded. She chose to wear a bustier for her choli, which was made with layers of net fabric that matched the colour of her lehenga. She chose full sleeves with a soft, see-through material buttoned down towards the end of her wrist as opposed to the short-sleeved option. Her dupatta was exquisitely adorned with numerous tiny, vibrant flowers throughout. Pearl and bead embroidery adorned the portion of the chunni that was precisely fastened to her bun.

The groom looked great in his ivory-coloured Tarun Tahiliani sherwani, which was embroidered with more elaborate flower patterns. He wore an achkan-style attire that gave off a royal vibe, and his exquisitely tied pagdi matched his choodidaar. It was covered in little studs all over and bordered with embroidery. The actor-producer channeled his inner Akbar by wearing a traditional mojris and carrying his drape in an elegant manner that matched his turban. Jackky also had a sarpech on his safa and a layered neckpiece made of kundan in shades of green. He was observed donning a sophisticated watch, his wedding band, and an additional emerald ring on his other hand.

Regarding Rakul’s jewelry, she opted for a stunningly crafted choker instead of the lengthy neckpieces. Her necklace’s enormous, blingy stones may easily cause blindness in anyone. Pearls, beads, and a few more medium- and small-sized gemstones were used to balance and assemble them. A maangtika and large, hanging earrings finished her ensemble. The massive, elegant, and shimmering engagement diamond she flashed on her ring finger was the talk of the town. Additionally, she donned pink kaliras and custom-made, minimalist choodas by designer Mrinalini Chandra.

The actress chose to use soft glam makeup in hues that complemented her wedding attire for her makeup look. For her D-day, she accessorized her eyes with eyeliner, a glowy base, and dark arched eyebrows, all complemented with a delicate pink lipstick shade. The actress also sported a modest mehendi on her hands, in keeping with the trend. They even decided on a backdrop and décor made of flowers. Baby’s breath flowers and enormous pink roses were used to make the varmalas.

Continue Reading

Cover Story

How to Identify an Authentic Banarasi Saree

Published

on

The saree is a timeless fashion item. Because of its unparalleled elegance and timelessness, sarees are referred to as classic ensembles. Even though sarees come in a variety of styles, nothing compares to a genuine Banarasi saree. A Banarasi saree has it all: a royal vibe, elegance that will make you the topic of the town wherever you wear it. Genuine Banarasi sarees are expertly crafted by experienced weavers using the finest silk yarn, paying close attention to every last detail.

The best type of silk saree is the banarasi saree, which has significant cultural and historical value in India. Their elaborate designs and opulent fabrics have made them famous and beloved worldwide.On certain occasions, women adore showing off their lavish and royal banarasi sarees. Banarasi sarees currently come in a range of shapes and designs in lightweight materials, in addition to the heavier ones, that suit the tastes and fashion sense of the current generation. There can be a lot of banarasi saree merchants or retailers in the market, but keep in mind that not all of them are likely to be offering authentic or high-quality sarees. Be sure to choose an actual banarasi saree while making your purchase. So here are few tips on identifying an authentic banarasi Saree

Check the saree’s reverse side.

Simply examining the saree’s reverse side will allow you to identify its authenticity. There will always be floats inside the weave and warp grids of loom-woven Banarasi sarees. Sarees woven by machines will be smooth to the touch.

Ask to see a certificate

Another crucial item to check for when buying pure silk sarees is the Certificate of Authorised Use of the Silk Mart Logo. Make sure to always ask for a certificate if you are purchasing a real silk saree.

Seek out the minor “imperfections”

The little “imperfections” that give a handwoven sari its unique beauty are what give them their beauty. The flawless “imperfections” are what set Banarasis handlooms apart from powerlooms. A handwoven textile will nearly always have subtle human touch elements, such as picks in the foundation fabric or even black lines running along the textile’s selvedge.

Think about the cost.

In general, price is a good way to tell if a Banarasi is real or not. Handmade items are expensive and require time to complete. Making it takes hours, but the finished product has a touch and sense of absolute quality. Therefore, if you’re finding a fantastic “deal” online, it’s usually not real. The history, craftsmanship, and quality of a Banarasi are unparalleled, and as buyers, we ought to be prepared to shell out a reasonable amount to guarantee its continued existence.

Continue Reading

Facebook

Trending