When two distinct creative worlds—fine jewellery and couture fashion—come together, the result create a dialogue that elevates both. Such is the case with Vanraaj (The King of Kings), a special edition of men’s fine jewellery born from the collaboration between Saggar Mehra, Designer & Founder, Saggar Mehra Couture, and Nipun Khanna, Jewellery Designer & Founder, Nipun Khanna Jewellery.
Derived from the Sanskrit term meaning “King of the Forest,” Vanraaj is an exploration of contemporary royalty, defined by confidence, character and presence. Saggar Mehra Couture’s distinctive approach to contemporary menswear meets Nipun Khanna’s expertise in fine jewellery, resulting in pieces that seamlessly bring together adornment and attire.
More than a fine jewellery collection, Vanraaj is a study in contemporary masculinity and elevated self-expression. It explores how jewellery can become an integral part of a man’s personal style, complementing the silhouette while making a statement of its own. The collaboration brings fashion, jewellery and design into a cohesive visual language, offering a fresh interpretation of modern luxury for the discerning man.
In an email interview to Solitaire International, the two creative minds share the inspiration behind Vanraaj, their approach to the collaboration and the creative journey that brought the collection to life.
Nipun Khanna on the collaboration:
What sparked the idea of bringing Saggar Mehra and yourself together for this collaboration, and what did each of you bring to the creative conversation?
The collaboration came from a very natural place. We both wanted to explore menswear and jewellery in a way that felt contemporary and relevant. Saggar has a very strong understanding of menswear, especially when it comes to silhouette and proportion, while my work is rooted in jewellery, craftsmanship and detailing.
The interesting part was bringing these two perspectives together and seeing how the jewellery and clothing could speak to each other rather than exist as separate elements.
Vanraaj draws on the idea of modern royalty and animal symbolism. What was the thought process behind choosing these motifs?
We didn’t want to interpret royalty in the obvious or traditional way. For us, it was more about the qualities associated with it – strength, confidence, instinct and presence.
The idea of the ‘king of the forest’ gave us a starting point to explore animal forms and elements from nature. We then translated those references into cleaner, more sculptural forms so that the jewellery feels powerful but still very contemporary.
Men’s jewellery is becoming increasingly expressive. How do you see this shift, and what role does Vanraaj play in redefining how men approach jewellery today?
Men are definitely becoming more experimental with jewellery. It’s no longer just about a watch, a chain or a pair of cufflinks. There’s a growing interest in pieces that actually say something about the person wearing them. With Vanraaj, we wanted to create jewellery that has a strong identity but doesn’t feel excessive. The idea is to make men more comfortable seeing jewellery as part of their personal style rather than simply an accessory for a special occasion.
Could you take us through the design and making process behind the collection?
A lot of the process was about getting the balance right. The pieces needed to have a strong, sculptural quality, but they also had to retain the finesse and detailing of fine jewellery. We spent a lot of time developing the forms and looking at how each piece would work with the couture. The craftsmanship was particularly important because even the stronger elements needed to feel refined and wearable.
Is the collection ultimately about ornamentation, self-expression, identity – or a combination of these?
I think it’s a combination, but self-expression is really at the heart of it. Jewellery has always been personal, and with men especially, the pieces they choose can say a lot about their personality. Vanraaj is about creating that sense of character through jewellery – pieces that have presence but also feel connected to the person wearing them.
Saggar Mehra shares his perspective:
What drew you to jewellery, and specifically to creating a collection centred around menswear?
We’ve always felt that jewellery can completely change the way a menswear look comes together. It adds another layer to the personality of the outfit. What interested us about this collaboration was the opportunity to explore that relationship more closely and create jewellery that feels like a natural part of the overall look, rather than something added at the end.
Why did you choose to work with Nipun Khanna?
Nipun has a very distinctive approach to jewellery, and there was a natural understanding between us from the beginning. We both appreciate strong design, craftsmanship and attention to detail, but neither of us believes that luxury needs to be about excess. That shared approach made the collaboration very easy and allowed us to build the collection together.
Were there particular visual references, eras or cultural influences that shaped your designs for Vanraaj?
The main reference was the idea of modern royalty. We weren’t looking at a particular period or trying to recreate traditional royal dressing. We were more interested in the attitude behind it – confidence, strength and presence. Nature and animal forms became an important part of that, and we translated those ideas through stronger silhouettes, sculptural details and a certain restraint in the overall look.
What do you think is driving the renewed interest in jewellery among men, and how do you see menswear jewellery evolving over the next few years?
Men have become much more open to experimenting with how they dress, and jewellery is a natural extension of that. We’re seeing more interest in layering, statement pieces and accessories that have a strong design element. Going forward, we think men will look for jewellery that feels more personal and less predictable – pieces with craftsmanship and character that can become part of their everyday style as well as their occasion wardrobe.