A spectrum of designers came together to create jewellery pieces that left the audience bedazzled
What is common to Marilyn Monroe’s dress in Some like It Hot and Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s necklace or Elizabeth Taylor’s costumes in CleopatraIJ Swarovski crystals. The brand has also made costumes for films including Burlesque, Water For Elephants, Snow White andThe Great Gatsby. Coco Chanel swore by the crystals, back in the days when they were still known as rhinestones, as did arch-couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga.
And in India, Confluence, India’s first designer jewellery collective showcasing jewellery with the famed crystals, celebrated two successful years of its inception with a spectacular soiree at the Embassy of Austria. It was themed around “Sparkling Transformations.” The strength of the collective lies in the noteworthy designer portfolio of accessories and the use of the finest crystals.
Initially, Confluence debuted with statement designs crafted by the leading fashion and jewellery designers of India including Amrapali, Eina Ahluwalia, Gaurav Gupta, Isharya, JJ Valaya, Manish Arora, Outhouse, Pernia Qureshi, Rohit Bal, Shivan & Narresh and Suneet Varma. Since then, Suhani Pittie and Tarun Tahiliani have joined the designer portfolio. This year, three more designers, Deepa Gurnani, Nida Mahmood and Zarin came on board.
The crystals were innovatively used. Sometimes they popped up in a brooch placed strategically on a sash cinched at the waist, as a belt, in a maang tika or even chandelier earrings. But what enhanced their appeal were undoubtedly the flowing silhouettes and sari drapes in white. The collective covers the categories of traditional occasion wear, everyday modern classics and men’s accessories.
Photos: Pankaj Kumar