PERFECT PAIRING

TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE. WHETHER WE NEED A SOUNDING BOARD, SOMEONE TO KEEP US IN CHECK OR TO WORK ALONGSIDE, WE KNOW HAVING THAT SPECIAL PERSON- A BUSINESS PARTNER, A FRIEND, A LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUAL, A FAMILY MEMBER, A MENTOR - WILL IMPROVE OUR PRODUCTIVITY AND OUR LIVES. THESE DUOS HAVE FOUND THAT ONE MORE IS WHAT WE NEED!

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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.”