COOL CONFLUENCE

A new generation of women-led jewellery labels is turning the clock back to amalgamate cultural styles with contemporary flair

- NIDA NAEEM

Many jewellery brands are in brisk business right now, making the most of festive styles for clients who are ready to add more inventiveness and interest to their collections. While foolproof minimalism or sleek sculptural styles work for the rest of the year, October brings with it a need for tradition and sentimentality.

For those who seek out bijoux that goes beyond bling for the sake of it, certain homegrown labels are offering alternatives derived from regional styles that have long been confined to their cultural crevices. The women behind these labels often dig deeper into their roots and join hands with artisans from craft hubs in their home states to create narratives that are as compelling as they are feel-good.

LASTING FASCINATION

Kavya Potluri’s upbringing in Chennai shaped the artistic core that defines her eponymous jewellery label today. “I adore Indian heritage jewellery. As a child, I found inspiration in my mother’s extensive collection of traditional South Indian pieces, such as the kaasu malai and manga malai. Each one told a story through its intricate design and history,” she shares.