The first piece of jewellery Vihari Poddar ever designed and sold was an engagement ring for her English teacher, Ms Ann Mary. The then15-year-old had noticed her teacher browsing rings online and offered to create something bespoke for her. When Ms Ann Mary agreed, Vihari was thrilled. “I felt awesome when she decided to go ahead with me and support me,” she recalls. “It was the best feeling in the world at that time to have convinced her to wear a ring I designed specially for her.”
Receiving that vote of confidence as a teenager marked the start of what has become Vihari’s vocation – designing beautiful, timeless jewellery. Now, almost 18 years later, she is the managing director and designer of her eponymous jewellery label, Vihari Jewels. She started the company out of a pure, unabashed love for quality stones and gorgeous jewels, which came with being born into a lineage of gem traders.
A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND
Growing up, Vihari was always enamoured with diamonds and knew early on that she wanted to join the industry. She often travelled to trade shows with her father Rajesh Sheth, current chairman of House of Gems, and spent her summer breaks at his office. “I would help him count diamonds, weigh them, sort them into their different boxes and check his inventory,” she recounts fondly. “It was amazing to be able to play with diamonds – they are a girl’s best friend after all!”
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Prestige Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Prestige Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Power To The People
Boucheron creative director Claire Choisne's latest high-jewellery creations are stylish statements of authority and achievement.
Walking into the Blue
Dive into luxury at Depth of Blue, Johnnie Walker Blue Label's first flagship bar in Southeast Asia. Dive into luxury at Depth of Blue, Johnnie Walker Blue Label's first flagship bar in Southeast Asia.
IN THE FLOW
For ANDRÉ FU, travel isn't so much a means of inspiration as it is a way to detach from everyday life to approach his work from fresh perspectives.
CHIC VOLUMES
Impractically oversized but utterly beautiful tomes featuring an eclectic subject, coffee table books serve to kick-start conversations in addition to being subtle avenues of sophisticated self-expression. Here are six titles to consider having on your living room table.
VICTOR OVER TIME
35 years after they broke convention as renegade art students, Phillip Lim catches up with eminent artist SUZANN VICTOR to reminisce about past escapades and how far the artist has come.
Circle of Friends
A Singapore family that has set up a second home in remote Kenya shares their connection with the local communities with guests of their lodge.
VIVE LA WEAVE
Chanel's latest high jewellery collection celebrates the innovation that put her squarely in the pantheon of legendary fashion designers.
VIEW BEYOND THE RACES
For Richard Mille, life in the fast lane is more than just performance-driven machines, it's a profound appreciation for excellence in various forms.
OFF TO THE FAIR
Watch clients are increasingly dropping into Watches and Wonders, a trade fair meant for retailers and media personnel. Here's why.
STEP LIVELY
In the original design of Hermès' Mon Premier Galop shawl by Chinese artist Tong Ren, a horse with an awkward yet happy gait is depicted in simple lines, colour blocks, and decorative-trimming inspired by traditional basketry.