MONICA SHAH AND KARISHMA SWALI
CO-FOUNDERS OF JADE BY MONICA AND KARISHMA AND CHANAKYA SCHOOL OF CRAFT
By Ashwini Arun Kumar
Handcrafted lace saris, ruffled organza numbers, and tulle lehengas in pastel hues, inundated with the most exquisite embroideries and surface ornamentation, coupled with modern cholis – these are just some of the styles from the house of JADE by Monica and Karishma. Although the label has been around for 14 years, it can be credited with revolutionising orthodox designs and bringing them closer to the style of contemporary women who wouldn’t want to subsume their aesthetics for tradition.
Even before JADE, sisters-in-law Monica Shah and Karishma Swali’s artistic bent was seen in their work with Chanakya, an enterprise founded by Karishma’s father in 1986 that has been taking Indian craftsmanship to the world. Christian Dior, Etro, Alberta Ferretti and Gucci are just a handful of names whose collections have featured the work of the artisans who work with Chanakya. It was while applying Indian embroideries to European sensibilities at Chanakya that the idea of JADE was conceived. “We realised we could infuse the beauty of traditional artistry with modern innovation to create ensembles that were unique yet rooted,” recounts Monica. “That is how we started JADE together. We’re enabling Indian crafts to stay relevant.”
This story is from the June 2022 edition of Femina.
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This story is from the June 2022 edition of Femina.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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