IIJW 2017 Day Two: Stunning Jewellery Takes Centre Stage
A number of stunning jewellery collections presented in regal style took centre stage on the second and final day of the 2017 edition of the India International Jewellery Week (IIJW 2017). The extravaganza was presented by The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), powered by GIA (Gemmological Institute of America); and co-partnered by Forevermark and Platinum Guild International.
The first show of the day was by six fresh talented designers from the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery, Mumbai in association with Izaara by Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers. The talented young students who presented their own unique creations were Manali Bansal, Neel Pethe, Sayali Chalke, Shubham Barali, Vaishnavi Mahajan And Swati Samala. Taking the ramp after a grand show were Namita Pandya, Convener, IIGJ Mumbai and Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, IIGJ.
Next up was the show by Surya Golds in association with Swarovski Gemstones which showcased a mélange of jewellery inspired by South Indian designs and modern fashion jewellery. The collection of gorgeous eye-catching earrings, chokers, necklaces, chunky bracelets, bangles and striking cocktail rings drew heavily from Nature, with a giant peacock pendant, an elephant kada with enamel work and a delicately designed lacy diamond neckpiece with shimmering prongs among the highlights. Pretty and petite Shamita Shetty made a show stopping entry wearing a dazzling diamond and ruby encrusted necklace in a graduating ‘V’ shape with matching earrings. The gorgeous clothes for the show were created by top designer Manali Jagtap Shoor.
The Pallavi Foley collection “Flame of the Forest” presented by BlueStone.com was a scintillating show and a great creative experience. The 50-piece collection was an ode to Bangalore the city where Pallavi started her career and which is the birth city of BlueStone.com. The avant garde line revolved around nature’s elements with the flower as the focal point, and rain, fire and other flora as other inspirations. There were leaf and bud brooches, creatively experimental horizontal ear sticks. Some of the other eye-catching pieces were sexy chains on a single leg sporting the petals that moved from thigh to ankle and an ear cuff that rose from the lobes; as well as another with dangling petals on long chains, which turned into earrings, while a horizontal pendant hung daringly on a neck chain.
The magnificent “Wind Blown Necklace” climbed imaginative extremes with gold moulded, twisted and twirled into swirls, which ended in multiple, fragile, large/small petals and leaves that almost looked as though they would just fly away in gusts of wind. Bollywood, beauty, Yami Gautam closed the show wearing a stunning Maatha Paati, vertical earrings, nose ring and a gorgeous cuff that had all the dramatic touches of creativity by Pallavi.
Another glamourous presentation by Mehta and Sons by Narendra Mehta in association with IGI had some sensational chokers, pendants, danglers, shoulder dusters, vertical pronged bangles, kadas, rings and bracelets. Some of the breathtaking pieces were a giant uncut diamond choker with long earrings, the square emerald and diamond neckpiece, the angular diamond/emerald necklace and cuff, and the gold and diamond hollow lace neck ring. They signed off with a grand entry by famed artist and philanthropist Rouble Nagi, who glided down the ramp wearing a gorgeous diamond collar, lavish circular danglers, cuff and cocktail ring.
At the Laksh Pahuja jewellery show, presented by Gemma and HRD Antwerp, the audience has learnt to expect the unexpected. In a sequence called “Patriotism, Peace and Passion”, the designer showcased eleven specially created pieces that were unbelievable visions of beauty inspired by icons in India including Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Lata Mangeshkar, Vishwanathan Anand, R K Laxman, Mary Kom and others.
Specially striking were the Mother Teresa inspired necklace called “Wings of Charity”, which depicted an angel studded with white/blue Swarovski cubic zirconia that depicted the white cotton sari with blue border; a necklace with waves that shone with diamonds and gems inspired by the Isha Foundation and Satguru’s project “Rally for Rivers” and a dramatic final jewel called Jai Hind presented with the grand entry of an army of mini soldiers who represented Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj, which was a sensational draped shoulder ornament cum neckpiece with tiger and soldiers holding the Indian flag.
The next show had the Anmol collection using Australian diamonds which showcased chokers that flowed into shimmering bibs, tasselled earrings in pearls and emeralds, impressive Maatha Paatis, swinging chandeliers, sensational Chandbalis, fan shaped shoulder dusters and Jhumkhas that were stunners on the ramp. The curved yellow/white diamond necklace when worn with floral chandbalis was a breath taking offering for a bride. Matching the sensational jewellery the fabulous bridal wear was by Monica and Karishma of Jade.
Another luxurious panorama that also used Australian diamonds was presented by Reliance Jewels. It was a grand treasure trove of bridal ornaments that were breath-taking in their beauty and craftsmanship including The Antique line offered jewellery inspired by the grandeur of the past, the Kundan collection recreating the Rajasthani Royals’ look, the Polki range brining the Mughal look to the forefront, the stunning Temple jewellery that paid tribute to heavenly forms and the Filigree jewellery that revealed India’s 5000-year-old craftsmanship.
Walking down the ramp to end the show was the popular Bollywood star Bhumi Pednekar who looked gorgeous in a wide diamond collar, bracelet, earrings and rings, Sunil Nayak, CEO, Reliance Jewels and Mr Tony Huber, Australian Consul General.
C Krishnaiah Chetty Group of Jewellers closed the final day with a grand collection accompanied by music, dance, mime, commentary, glitz and drama. The hall was converted into a wedding pandal with 10 ornate pillars on the stage. White cubes lined the ramp along with rows of flowers that streamed down from the ceiling to form a perfect backdrop for the Navrasa show – featuring the 9 emotions of fashion was a grand glorious display that held the audience in awe and enthralled them with the gorgeous jewels on the ramp.
The opening dancers performed a modern version of the Bharat Natyam to the beautiful concept and script by The Bioscope Diary. The story of birth, love and marriage unfolded as the models draped in splendid brocade saris by designer Gaurang glided down the ramp and posed gracefully. Also presented were Sprezzatura collection that blended seamlessly the unconventional with design concepts, the Heritage Collection, a great revival of the most amazing creations using handmade and modern 3D printing technology and some special bridal ornaments such as temple Raani Haars, diamond chokers, matching cummerbunds, pearl bangles and long gem chains, plus a spectacular Thaali or Thirumangalyam presented by the groom to the bride.
At the end of the spectacular show Shreyas V. Cotha, Executive Director, C Krishnaih Chetty Group of Jewellers and Bhavna Cotha walked down the ramp to thunderous applause for the sensational show.