In the world of style, summer is synonymous with cheery colours and florals. Project Blossoming presented at Amethyst was a fine showcase of how 10 well-known names from India’s jewellery circuit could interpret the blossom theme in their inimitable ways.
It was glamour without guilt as slender models with swanlike necks displayed delicately crafted gemstones-encrusted pieces. The collection is meant to bring sparkle in the eyes of 2,000 underprivileged girls as it will be auctioned by Christie’s on June 6 in Mumbai for Nanhi Kali, a project jointly managed by K. C. Mahindra Education Trust and Naandi Foundation.
Since the jewellery had to symbolise the blossoming of children supported by Nanhi Kali (meaning ‘little bud’), floral motifs played a stellar role in the collection. While Bangalore-based Abaran celebrated love and beauty in its diamond-, ruby- and emerald-encrusted 18 karat white gold necklace, New Delhi-based Hazoorilal had come up with a brooch featuring a huge ruby flower with yellow diamonds offering subtle accents. A solitary butterfly nestling among the leaves was a surprise element in this masterpiece.
Some of the unusual pieces include Baroda’s Narayan Jewellers’ front-open necklace, New Delhi-based Mirari’s two-tier detachable necklace and Mumbai-based Anmol’s two-level piece. While the first was an ode to the strength of a woman and her openness to embrace challenges, the cherry blossoms-inspired second piece symbolised Spring, the season of hope and a new beginning. Anmol’s was a metaphoric representation of a bud coaxed to bloom. While ruby-studded cherries and a restrained use of orange sapphires made Mirari’s creation a stand-out, it was smart designing that set Anmol’s apart.
The show-stopper was, however, Amrapali’s Victorian neckpiece with intricate ruby flowers and three levels of exquisitely-carved emerald leaves. According to Tarang Arora, creative director and CEO of the Jaipur-based jewellery house, “The ‘Sadabhar-Evergreen’ necklace was inspired by Project Blossoming. It represents how a kali (bud) gradually blooms into a flower. Creative use of yellow and white gold, cabochon rubies and rose-cut diamonds lend beauty to this rare piece.
Other jewellery houses that participated were Lala Jugal Kishore (Lucknow), Moksh (Mumbai), Tibarumals (Hyderabad) and Talwarsons (Chandigarh).
According to Rupak Sen, regional marketing director, Asia, of Gemfields, a founding partner of Project Blossoming, “There has been no such initiative among the jewellery fraternity where so many big names in the business come together for a cause. Project Blossoming is a moving show that covers eight cities in India. We are planning a road show in New York in May. The collection will finally be up for auction in Mumbai and the proceeds will go towards educating 2,000 girl children.”
The show was presented by Amethyst in association with Vogue and Amrapali. For details on Nanhi Kali and to view the collections, visit www.project blossoming.com.
