In collaboration with Irasva Fine Jewellery, Shibani Dandekar Akhtar makes her jewellery design debut with ISSHO—a collection shaped by emotional intimacy, confidence, and a contemporary vision of conscious luxury.
For Indo-Australian singer and actress Shibani Dandekar Akhtar, jewellery has never been simply decorative. It is emotional, instinctive, and deeply intertwined with memory and identity. That sensibility forms the foundation of ISSHO, her new collaboration with Leshna Shah, Founder of Irasva Fine Jewellery. The collection explores modern femininity through sculptural minimalism, fluid silhouettes, and versatile pieces designed to move effortlessly through everyday life. In conversation with Solitaire International, Shibani Dandekar Akhtar reflects on personal style and why fine jewellery today is less about status and more about self-expression.
ISSHO marks your debut as a jewellery designer—what did you want this collection to express about your personal relationship with jewellery?
Jewellery has always been deeply personal for me—it’s never just about adornment, it’s about memory, identity, and energy. With ISSHO, I wanted to express that intimacy. These are pieces that don’t overpower you; they become a part of you. My relationship with jewellery has always been emotional rather than ornamental, and I wanted that feeling to come through in every design.
How would you describe the ISSHO collection, and what sets it apart?
ISSHO is modern, fluid, and powerful. The aesthetic is minimal, yet it holds attention. It’s fine jewellery that feels lived-in, not locked away.
How do you see modern women integrating fine jewellery into their everyday wardrobes, rather than reserving it for occasions?
Women today don’t want to save things for “someday.” We want to wear what we love every day. Fine jewellery should move with your life—it should work with a white shirt, a power suit, or even athleisure. It’s about styling intuitively, layering pieces, and making them feel like an extension of your personality rather than something reserved for special moments.
What was your creative dynamic like working with Leshna Shah—did your personal friendship influence the design language of the collection?
Absolutely. There was a natural ease to the collaboration because it came from a real friendship. It never felt transactional—it was a genuine creative exchange. We shared a similar aesthetic sensibility, but we also challenged each other, which made the designs stronger. That dialogue really shaped the collection.
The campaign leans into and subverts labels often attached to women. How does jewellery become a tool for self-definition rather than social signalling?
Jewellery can either define you or be defined by you—and I think that’s the shift we’re seeing now. For me, it’s about wearing pieces because they resonate with who you are, not because they signal something outwardly. ISSHO is designed to be an extension of your identity. It’s less about status and more about self-expression.
Were there specific forms, silhouettes, or pieces in ISSHO that felt especially “you”?
I’m drawn to pieces that are sculptural but still easy to wear—designs that feel strong without being overpowering. There are certain earrings and rings with clean geometry and subtle boldness that I keep coming back to.
After this experience, would you like to continue designing?
This experience opened something up creatively for me. I loved being part of the design process in such a hands-on way. I’d love to continue exploring this space, maybe experiment with new forms or even expand into other categories. It’s about continuing to create with intention.