Discover the fusion of heritage and contemporary allure as second-generation jeweller of Vasupati Jewellers share their family’s legacy, shaping a collection that harmoniously blends tradition with cutting-edge design in the realm of bridal adornment. Here are excerpts from the conversation with Avnip Kothari, Creative Director, Vasupati Jewellers.
Can you share with us the inspiration behind the 70 fresh bridal sets you’ve designed for this year’s IIJS Signature
The idea for developing bridal jewellery sets stemmed from our personal experience of witnessing the challenges faced by individuals at weddings when coordinating their jewellery with bridal ensembles. This led us to develop a range of bridal collection starting from 170 grams to 400 grams, consisting of a complete set of a choker, a long necklace, earrings, ring, tika, and kadas.
As second-generation jewellers, how has your family’s legacy influenced your approach to designing bridal jewellery?
As second-generation jewellers, our family’s legacy has deeply influenced our approach to designing bridal jewellery. Our personal experience with wedding shopping and the struggle to find matching jewellery for different occasions has inspired us to create collections that cater to the diverse needs of brides, making their jewellery selection process seamless and memorable.
Bridal sets often carry cultural significance. How do you blend tradition with contemporary design elements in your creations?
Indian bridal jewellery blends traditional handcrafting techniques with modern design to create unique bridal sets. Filigree adds delicate metalwork, while nakshi engraving calls to mind our heritage art; and enamelling introduces colour, especially through techniques like meenakari. Incorporating unconventional semi-precious gemstones like opal, morganites, and tourmaline offers a contemporary twist. This fusion helps us to retain and celebrate India’s rich craftsmanship and infuse fresh aesthetics in bridal jewellery sets.
What unique design elements or techniques or jewellery crafts have you incorporated into these bridal sets to make them stand out in the market?
We have incorporated techniques into our bridal sets to make them stand out in the market.
Our use of direct casting, meticulous handwork, specialised kundan setting, and the use of unconventional gemstones make these collections heirloom worthy. Additionally, we’ve innovatively employed traditional techniques in modern forms and developed a new range of dyes specifically for this collection, further enhancing its distinctiveness.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and customer preferences in the ever-evolving world of bridal jewellery?
Our approach to staying abreast of the latest trends and customer preferences in the dynamic world of bridal jewellery extends beyond creating collections.
We actively seek feedback from our valued clients to understand their preferences, ensuring our collections stand apart. Each collection is crafted based on current trends derived from thorough online, offline, and in-store research. While we prioritise creating unique products, we always keep in mind commercial viability and market desirability.
Being part of a family business, what challenges and advantages do you encounter as designers in a second-generation jewellery company?
As designers in a second-generation jewellery company, our main challenge lies in surpassing the expertise of our predecessors. However, this also serves as an advantage, as their experience guides us to exceed expectations and continually strive for improvement. Their mentorship constantly motivates us to achieve greater success.