The second edition of ‘The Real Cut’ show by Diamond Producers Association (DPA) featured the six winning diamond jewellery designers and their creations at Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2019, at The St. Regis, Mumbai on August 24th. The winners were presented along with celebrated fashion designers Archana Rao, Dhruv Kapoor and Shweta Kapur.
The theme for the second edition, ‘Naturality’, focused on celebrating diamonds, the billion-year-old miracle of nature, through design. This collaboration underscored the fact that diamonds only enhance the beauty of couture with their timelessness and brilliance.
The contest was open to diamond jewellery designers who are associated with leading jewellery brands from across the country and have been in the business or practising their craft for the past 3-8 years. The designers exhibited unique crafting techniques and iconic designs to celebrate diamonds.
The six winners—Dhairyada Mehta of Vrajlal & Co., Divya Gupta of Tanishq (Design Excellence Centre), Ketan Chokshi of Narayan Jewellers, Roni Adhikari of Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers (VBJ), Sonali Sheth of Sphere, and Taruna Kamdar of Anmol Jewellers—were handpicked by an esteemed panel of judges from the jewellery and fashion fraternity in Mumbai on July 11th 2019 at Olive, Bandra. The winners were evaluated on parameters ranging from quality, innovation, and marketability to originality and ability to take their business to the next level.
The diverse jury comprised DPA managing director Richa Singh; Elle India editor Supriya Dravid; Clove, Bombay Bustle and Jamavar, London owner Samyukta Nair; Grain Consulting’s Sohiny Das; IMG Reliance vice president and head of fashion Jaspreet Chandok; and Bollywood actress & model Sonal Chauhan.
Richa Singh said, “It has been a treat to watch the perfect blend of diamonds with fashion on the runway. At DPA, we believe that diamonds have a place not just during significant occasions, but also for everyday moments and our association with Lakmé Fashion Week is an attempt to showcase the integral role diamonds play in fashion.
“There is an abundance of hidden jewellery design talent in the country, and with The Real Cut we want to offer the industry a stage to present their creativity. LFW has been the ideal association for the DPA as it offers national exposure not just for large retail chains but also smaller regional players. This year saw a much larger participation and I am very keen to see The Real Cut growing to become one of the most respected industry platforms for recognising emerging diamond jewellery design talent.”
Jaspreet Chandok added, “We are thrilled to once again associate with DPA as it opens the doors for the entire diamond jewellery design community to interface with LFW. It also provides young talent in an allied industry the leverage of the premier fashion event in the country and we hope some of our discoveries make a major mark in the industry going forward.”
Winners’ Circle
Couturier Archana Rao’s collection “A Mountain Story” revolved around classic silhouettes with exquisite embroidery details. Inspired by the serene verdant flora of the Nilgiri Hills, her outfits were paired with diamond jewellery by Divya Gupta of Tanishq (Design Excellence Centre) and Sonali Sheth of Sphere.
Divya Gupta said, “Tanishq has created this range of everyday diamond jewellery as an ode to today’s women, celebrating their inner strength as well as mesmerising charm through everlasting, brilliant diamonds. Our range of finely crafted jewellery provides them elegant new reasons to indulge. It is for women who shine bright, wherever they go and whatever they do.”
Sonali Sheth added, “Allure is an enchanting collection of daily wear diamond jewellery that adds a perfect potion of glamour to the mundane chores of everyday life. Meticulously handcrafted by our artisans, and studded with beautiful pear-shaped diamonds, this collection aims to charm the wearer and prepare her to conquer the day, head-on!”
Dhruv Kapoor’s creations were paired with jewellery by Taruna Kamdar of Anmol Jewellers and Roni Adhikari of VBJ. With the 1960s as his inspiration, Dhruv brought a subtle rebellion to the forefront with psychedelic prints and a multitude of colours. The silhouettes remained devoted to comfort and style with oversized baggy shapes making an impact.
Roni Adhikari said, “Diamond jewellery designing is my passion. I’m really happy when I get to see a smile on my customer’s face when they wear my jewellery. I’ll be completely satisfied when every piece of my jewellery will be treated as a piece of art.”
Further, embellishing Dhruv Kapoor’s collection with her prêt collection, Taruna Kamdar noted, “Today’s modern woman is always looking for the right diamond jewellery to accentuate and complete her look. ‘Viviera’, our pret collection, is a luxe range of everyday classics, dedicated for everyday celebrations. It is a reflection of the urbane careeroriented, independent and confident women of today’s times, who love to celebrate life and live every moment of it to the fullest.”
Accentuating prêt diamond jewellery by Dhairyada Mehta of Vrajlal & Co. and Ketan Chokshi of Narayan Jewellers, Shweta Kapur’s ‘Collection 14’ was inspired by her travels to the Maasai Mara region, with ensembles aimed at jet-setters.
Talking about women on the move, Dhairyada Mehta said, “Fashion is in every facet and is unique to everyone, just like diamonds. Diamonds are oneof-a-kind precious gifts of earth, which is what gives the wearer the feeling of being extraordinary and special every day. The range of daily wear luxury jewellery from Vrajlals harps on this very aspect of being real, unique and rare.”
Ketan Chokshi added, “Being raised in a family which is in the jewellery industry for five generations and then taking it up as a profession, I am very close to my jewellery, especially diamonds. I am very emotional about my designs. The sense of rarity forever appeals to me. I love playing with designs suited for everyday prêt wear and the same can be witnessed in our new collection.”