Carved Artworks
Adorn|November - December 2017

Acclaimed London-based jewellery designer FLORA BHATTACHARY’s stark yet appealing jewels set with distinctively carved gemstones evoke a powerful imagery, delicately balancing geometric forms with a delightful profusion of colours. India has a special pull on her. Flora’s ancestors travelled to the country to trade for the East India Company. The exotic and mystical landscapes and the travelogues impelled her to dig into India’s rich history. The mythological stories and references to Hindu goddesses further helped her to create collections that were enshrined in gold and gemstones. There is a distinct crossover of cultural influences in Flora’s unique compositions that dextrously team technology and traditional techniques to create future heirlooms.

Shanoo Bijlani
Carved Artworks

Tell us a little more about yourself and your link to Asia. 

My family links to India go back to the 18th century. In the 1770s, four of my ancestors left Ireland to work and trade for the East India Company. Two went to Malaysia and two to India. They eventually established their own trading company with links to India.

As my connection to India is so far back in the roots of my family – this wasn’t something that I grew up consciously aware of. I only came to really understand those links when I went to Central Saint Martins. There we were encouraged to look into our family history and our personal passions. My husband is half Indian, so he was interested to understand the history of migration in both our families.

While I was investigating my family background, I discovered a collection of Mughal coins that was donated to the British Museum by my ancestors. I was invited into the archives to see the coins – and this became the starting point for my first collections.

This link carried on through to the present day and my cousins had roles in the foreign office as commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory, and at the British Council as director general for South Asia.

You have been influenced by jewellery and its designs since childhood. What role has it played in your life and in shaping your aesthetics? 

I think that the influences you experience as a child really form your aesthetic later on. My mother wore Tibetan and Indian jewellery and our house was full of Persian carpets and rich colour – this must have subconsciously influenced me. I was also influenced by the homes of my great-aunt and my grandmother – both of whom had amazing art deco furnishings in their houses.

Denne historien er fra November - December 2017-utgaven av Adorn.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November - December 2017-utgaven av Adorn.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA ADORNSe alt
designing for a better world
adorn

designing for a better world

uk-based designer jasmine alexander’s works mirror life’s bitter-sweet truths in a highly individualistic way. slivers of her personality shine through in the form of a poet, an unpretentious thinker, an avant-garde jewellery designer, and a fearless crusader of the environment. the sentient designer recently partnered with the renowned ‘sea shepherd’ conservation society, a marine preservation organisation which uses direct action, to create the sea shepherd x jasmine alexander collection of limited edition pieces in 18-karat gold, stainless steel and argentium silver (nontarnish silver). jasmine alexander is an officially appointed ambassador of british jewellery, and an official advisory board member of sea shepherd uk.

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3 mins  |
january-february 2017
Pallavi Foley's Take On Jewellery Trends
Adorn

Pallavi Foley's Take On Jewellery Trends

STYLE EXPERT PALLAVI FOLEY, celebrity jewellery designer, in an exclusive interview highlights the current jewellery trends, the rising popularity of body ornaments and the fast-changing tastes of consumers. Pallavi, who is acknowledged as India’s Elsa Peretti (of Tiffany fame) by the World Gold Council, is known for her biomorphic and sculptural designs in gold and silver. The awardwinning designer takes cues from nature, life, emotions, and other abstract concepts and interlaces a story around the pieces. Her collections are luxurious and have an unexpected element of incredulity. The avant-garde designer offers jewellery styling tips for today’s confident woman.

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5 mins  |
January - February 2018
The Rising Star
Adorn

The Rising Star

Disha Patani, the new actor on the block, has wowed all with her million-dollar smile and has won over critics with her acting chops. Wrapped in diamonds set in contemporary gold silhouettes, Disha looks stunning in metallic ensembles teamed with silk, leather and lace. In a fashion flashback to the '80s, Disha plays the part of a seductive, glamorous gal from the golden era to perfection!

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4 mins  |
March-April 2017
Desi With a Difference
Adorn

Desi With a Difference

Human rights-lawyer- turned jewellery designer PRIYANKA MURTHY’S designs spell modern minimalism to the tee. Just one look at her jewellery is enough for you to know that despite its simplistic clean lines, there is an unmistakable wow factor in every piece. The designs are extremely fresh and unique and tailored for the independent working woman.

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9 mins  |
March-April 2017
Toranj Kayvon - Born Star
Adorn

Toranj Kayvon - Born Star

Little did we know that when we first met fashion photographer Toranj way back in 2013 for an editorial shoot that she would one day be gracing the cover herself. We immediately fell in love with her vivacious spirit, positive energy and prodigious talent. She is among the best when it comes to capturing the facets, sparkle and glitter of diamonds—evident from the fact that she has shot five covers for ADORN in these years. Toranj has also blossomed into a fine actor; she was seen in Manmarziyaan (2018) and will now appear in the upcoming film Kesari (2019), in which she has pivotal role. We chose this rising star in our midst for the March-April cover, and she once again worked her magic with diamonds – only this time, in front of the lens.

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4 mins  |
March - April 2019
Keeping It Simple
Adorn

Keeping It Simple

Syna’s success can not only be attributed to their over a decade-long existence in the industry, but also their strong and clear aesthetic that hinges on “keeping it simple”. The creative force of Syna – Namrata and Dharmesh Kothari – are always stripping the design to its core to imbue their jewellery with a refreshing take. “We want to show the heart out instantly, and in its purest form, without losing its inherent character,” says Dharmesh. Each of Syna’s pieces has a little story, a little fragment of historical design and culture – all modernised to work timelessly.Dharmesh Kothari talks about their love for coloured stones, travels and design philosophy.

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5 mins  |
March - April 2019
Siren Song
Adorn

Siren Song

Italian maestro of erotica MILO MANARA has helmed ten illustrations, depicting an underwater rendezvous between a beautiful, alluring mermaid and a woman, for watchmaker Ulysse Nardin. The series was unveiled for the first time at the SIHH in Geneva in January 2019.

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3 mins  |
March - April 2019
‘Rarity & Authenticity Distinguish Orevermark Diamonds'
Adorn

‘Rarity & Authenticity Distinguish Orevermark Diamonds'

SACHIN JAIN, president, Forevermark India, speaks to ADORN about the growing popularity of jewellery set with hand-picked, rare diamonds that are as unique as each wearer.

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3 mins  |
March - April 2019
Summer Splash
Adorn

Summer Splash

The Mood Is Classy Chic This Summer Season. An Enticing Clash Of Glamorous Ingredients Are Seen In These Audaciously Bold Jewels. Designed By Harshad Ajoomal Of H. Ajoomal Fine Jewellery, The In Vogue Jewels Highlight Unique Pairings Of Colour Gemstones And Diamonds.

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1 min  |
May - June 2019
Butani's Ingenious Wonders
Adorn

Butani's Ingenious Wonders

Exquisite elements make for organic creations that bring Butani’s craftsmanship and artistry to the fore. The brand’s distinctive style and creative harmony tie together the jeweller’s Indian heritage and Asian aesthetics.The Hong Kong-based haute joaillerie brand recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. A capsule collection – unveiled at Basel world earlier this year to mark the forty-year milestone – featured nine exquisitely handcrafted pieces that boldly embrace the brilliance of diamonds, while highlighting the subtle flowing lines and gentle drops. Among the show-stealers were opulent pieces that brilliantly distilled the beauty of fancy yellow diamonds.

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4 mins  |
July - August 2017