Raksha Reddy, the Founder of the eponymous brand is a first-generation jeweller. Her remarkable journey from an outsider to a prominent figure in the world of jewellery world is a confirmation of her passion, perseverance, and the unwavering support of her family and friends. The brand, Raksha Reddy India, stands for innovation, artistic storytelling, and a commitment to crafting truly exceptional jewellery. Her future promises to be as dazzling as the gems she so meticulously crafts.
Tell us more about your background and how it has influenced your journey in the world of jewellery design?
As a child, I was always interested into two very different spectrums of study – Science and Art. The schooling system here made it almost impossible to pursue both together, until I started my under-graduation course in Singapore. It was there that my brilliant professors there taught me to include art and science and create innovative designs. Over the course of my 3-year Bachelor of Design there, I was exposed to whole world of jewellery design, especially conceptual design, often termed as “Wearable art”. It changed my vision on the creation of jewellery. I found myself immersed in this wonderous world of jewellery and haven’t stopped since!
After my studies in Singapore, I moved to Mumbai to complete my gemmology at GIA.
Tell us about the inception and evolution of your eponymous brand, shedding light on the key milestones and inspirations that have shaped its identity?
Once I entered Mumbai to start my GIA course, I was exposed to whole different universe!
To start with, I came from Bengaluru, who didn’t speak a single word of Hindi. Second, I had nobody in my family or friends circle within this industry. It was quiet a cultural shock for me to see entire families deeply involved in their businesses for years, having streamlined their operations from manufacturing to sales.
To start with, I was a resident of Bengaluru, completely unfamiliar with the Hindi language. Furthermore, I lacked any connections in my family or social circle within the industry. It was quite a cultural shock for me to witness entire families deeply entrenched in their businesses for years, having efficiently streamlined their operations from manufacturing to sales.
And then there was a vast universe of gems! I knew I had to work hard to earn trust and respect. I was fortunate to have started working at a company owned by classmate from GIA at Bharat Diamond Bourse. It turned out to be the biggest milestone for me as my classmate/friend has since become my mentor and godfather in my professional life.
Working with some of the biggest names in the industry really helped me gain a lot of confidence in myself and my work, and what better way to embody my creations than to create a brand on my name!
Can you walk us through your creative process when designing jewellery?
It all starts with inspiration. It’s a challenge to create a unique piece of jewellery that’s not just artistic and desirable but designed with proper ergonomic considerations. This initial spark is what fuels the entire process.
I usually also like to incorporate a lot of movements, like dance forms, in my jewellery. Right from sketching ideas and concepts to translating the idea into an actual piece, attention to even the minutest detail is of utmost importance.
What distinctive design elements does your brand employ to distinguish itself in the highly competitive jewellery market?
One of the things that distinguishes my brand is the design. Each piece or a collection has its own story and its own inspiration. Every piece created is a standalone, never to be repeated. Each piece comes from a unique moment in time, a moment that would never return, making your jewellery from Raksha Reddy India truly extraordinary. The jewellery we create is very versatile, transforming from formal to casual wear.
What inspires you? Are there recurring themes that you are drawn to?
My inspiration is usually all around me, there are small simple things in life that we would maybe take for granted, but if you look closer, there’s tremendous inspiration to be found! One of the most recurring themes for me is nature, especially the tropical life. I am extremely drawn to marine flora and fauna as I am an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer.
Tell us more about your latest collections.
My latest collection is based on the macro side of nature, the portions of nature our eyes cannot fathom! Unfortunately, the human eye can only zoom in to so little, but thanks to macro lenses and microscopes, we can witness a multiverse present right before us! My collection aims at capturing this macro world in jewellery, enhanced with natural gems and natural diamonds all set in gold.
How does your brand stay in tune with the ever-evolving preferences of consumers in the dynamic jewellery market?
Since my jewellery is more inspiration based than trend based, this has never affected me that much while creating the pieces. Consumer trends vary in the type of material used, there are times when plain jewellery was trending and times when gems were trending. I usually do incorporate all these in my jewellery as the materials are part of the story as well. Continuous market research helps in getting clarity about shifting trends.
How has your brand effectively utilised digital platforms to engage and connect with its audience, and what strategies have proven to be the most successful in this regard?
Digital media is a beautiful platform for connection! I was really surprised when I saw people all over the world appreciate my creations. My social media presence has a deep personal touch. While I do feature models and product photos, what gets the most response is when I come online to showcase the jewellery and talk about it in depth. It’s a transparent process. Many individuals request custom designs tailored to their personal narratives. These requests typically originate from social media.
What’s a typical day in your life and share some of your hobbies?
I am an early bird, early to bed and early to rise since I was a child. Waking up at 5am, a cup of filter coffee, sitting outside my house with my pets and listening to the faint calls of birds and insects brings me so much peace to get through the day.
A day at work is well planned, meeting with the team about marketing, purchasing, greeting clients at the studio, etc.
I am an outdoor person. So, I spend some time either working out or playing any outdoor sport. I love adventure sports and am an ocean lover! I have been diving since 2017, and it is a whole other world down there! I hope many people get a chance to explore it as I have!
Anything else you may wish to add.
I come from a background with no experience in the jewellery industry, and being a woman in a male-dominated industry was extremely challenging.
However, I couldn’t have accomplished even one percent of what I have today without the endless support and encouragement from my wonderful family – my parents and my sister. They accompany me to every exhibition I participate in, and they promote me more than I promote myself! I am very lucky to have them.
I also have two great friends (who are like family) in the diamond and gem industry, whom I met by chance, and they have given me all their effort and time to help me! They are a crucial part of my support system!
I absolutely love this industry, even though it causes me immense stress during low periods, and I hope to continue making more valuable connections in my career.