The Real Cut rocks the LFW Red carpet!
The Real Cut, show by Diamond Producers Association (DPA) in collaboration with Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) was a dazzling fashion and diamond jewellery presentation. The second edition of The Real Cut show featured the winning six diamond jewellery designers of The Real Cut-Season 2 and showcased their designs at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019 along with celebrated fashion designers Archana Rao, Dhruv Kapoor and Shweta Kapur.
The theme for the second edition, Naturality, focused on celebrating this billion-year-old miracle of nature through design. This collaboration underscored the fact that diamonds only enhance the beauty of couture with their timelessness and brilliance.
The programme was open to diamond jewellery designers who are associated with leading jewellery brands from across the country and have been in the business or practicing their craft for the past three to eight years. The designers exhibited unique crafting techniques and iconic designs to celebrate diamonds being one of the most natural and precious elements of the earth.
The six winners - Dhairyada A Mehta of Vrajlal & Co, Divya Gupta of Tanishq (Design Excellence Centre), Ketan Chokshi of Narayan Jewellers, Roni Adhikari of Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, Sonali Sheth of Sphere, and Taruna Kamdar of Anmol Jewellers were handpicked by an esteemed panel of judges from the jewellery and fashion fraternity in Mumbai. The winners were evaluated on parameters ranging from quality, innovation, and marketability to originality and ability to take their business to the next level.
The diverse jury comprised Richa Singh, Managing Director at DPA, Supriya Dravid, Editor-Elle India, Samyukta Nair, Owner-Clove the store, Bombay Bustle and Jamvar, London; Sohiny Das, Grain Consulting, Jaspreet Chandok, Vice President and Head of Fashion, IMG Reliance and Sonal Chauhan, Bollywood actress & Model.
Richa Singh said, "It has been a treat to watch the perfect blend of diamonds with fashion on the runway. At DPA we believe that diamonds have a place not just during significant occasions, but also for everyday moments and our association with LFW is an attempt to showcase the integral role diamonds play in fashion.
There is an abundance of hidden jewellery design talent in the country, and with The Real Cut we want to offer the industry a stage to present their creativity. Lakmé Fashion Week has been the ideal association for the Diamond Producers Association as it offers national exposure not just for large retail chains but also smaller regional players.
This year saw a much larger participation and I am very keen to see The Real Cut growing to become one of the most respected industry platforms for recognizing emerging diamond jewellery design talent.”
Jaspreet Chandok, said, “We are thrilled to once again associate with DPA as it opens the doors for the entire diamond jewellery design community to interface with LFW. It also provides young talent in an allied industry the leverage of the premier fashion event in the country and we hope some of our discoveries make a major mark in the industry going forward.”
Archana Rao with Divya Gupta and Sonali Sheth of Sphere brought classic silhouettes, exquisite embroidery and finely crafted diamond jewellery on the ramp at LFW Winter/Festive 2019. When Archana Rao made her debut after launching her label in 2011 at the LFW Gen Next Summer/Resort 2012 show, it was very apparent that the designer had immense talent.
The Archana Rao design directions had a nostalgic element with contrast prints and clean silhouettes that were merged with Indian aesthetics. Archana’s collection, A Mountain Story, for the coming season at LFW Winter/Festive 2019 revolved around classic silhouettes with amazing embroidery details. The inspiration was the serene verdant flora of the Nilgiri Hills.
Paired with Archana Rao was Divya Gupta, who said, “Tanishq has created this range of everyday diamond jewellery as an ode to today’s women, celebrating their inner strength as well as mesmerizing charm through the everlasting brilliant diamonds. Our range of finely crafted jewellery provides them elegant new reasons to indulge. It is for women who shine bright, wherever they go and whatever they do.”
Sonali Sheth added, “Being a fine jewellery designer lets me be a part of some of the most treasured moments and objects in people’s lives - all while working on what I’m passionate about! I think that’s the most fulfilling part and of course the awards and recognition doesn’t hurt!
Diamond jewellery is a form of wearable art for me where the medium consists of some of the most precious materials on the planet! Allure, conquer the day with glam, is an enchanting collection of daily wear diamond jewellery that adds a perfect potion of glamour to the mundane chores of everyday life! Meticulously handcrafted by our artisans, and studded with beautiful pear shape diamonds, this collection aims to charm the wearer and prepare her to conquer the day, head on!”
While Archana Rao’s, A Mountain Story collection offered exotic feminine creations which trendsetters will adore for its gentle, fluid, relaxed, line of clothing presenting a serene pastoral picture; Divya Gupta and Sonali Sheth, Design Jewellery complemented the look with exquisite diamond jewellery designs well suited for the occasion.
A Versatile Fashion Rebellion Unfolded on The Ramp with Dhruv Kapoor’s Creations at LFW Winter/Festive 2019 With Taruna Kamdar of Anmol Jewellers and Roni Adhikari of Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers
For LFW Winter/Festive 2019, Dhruv brought a subtle rebellion to the forefront. Always aiming to break the gender norms, the designer in control of his construction and empowered weaves of fabrics, created a look that was not only visually arresting but also technically wearable.
With the 1960’s as his inspiration, the designer brought maximum pizzazz with the psychedelic prints and a multitude of colours. The silhouettes remained devoted to comfort and style with oversize baggy shapes making an impact. With washed linen and tartan checks as his favoured fabrics, the edgy tailoring and sharp construction made the apparel immensely perfect for the coming season.
With Dhruv Kapoor’s inspiration nestled in yesteryears, he was coupled with 119-year-old Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers (VBJ) from Chennai who are synonymous for their traditional inspirations. Roni Adhikari from VBJ added, “Diamond jewellery designing is my passion. I'm really happy when I get to see a smile, real and rare as a diamond, on my customer's face when they wear my jewellery. I always see jewellery designing as a precious fine art and I'll be completely satisfied when every piece of my jewellery will be treated as a piece of art.”
Further, embellishing Dhruv Kapoor’s collection with her prêt collection was Taruna Kamdar of Anmol Jewellers who said, “Diamonds are a girl's best friend & today's modern woman is always looking for the right diamond jewellery to accentuate & complete her look.
Viviera, our Prêt collection is a luxe range of everyday classics, dedicated for every day celebrations. It is a reflection of the urbane career-oriented, independent & confident women of today's times who love to celebrate life & live every moment of it to the fullest.”
A striking feature that revealed Dhruv’s creative touches was the detachable lining concept in a burst of colours that turned the garments into unconventional unique items which were ornamented with urbane yet traditional prêt wear diamond jewellery from the house of Vummidi Bangaru and Anmol Jewellers.
Shweta Kapur’s Label 431-88 made a style statement with exotic looks at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2019 with Dhairyada A Mehta of Vrajlal & Co, and Ketan Chokshi of Narayan Jewellers. From designer Shweta Kapur’s label ‘431-88’ it was Collection 14 that created a stylish stir at LFW Winter/Festive 2019.
Shweta took the audience on a relaxed fashionable journey where the style dictates were inspired by her travels to the Masai Mara region. The ensembles were aimed at jet setters that move from the fast-paced cities, to far off lands.
Talking about women on the move, Dhairyada Mehta from Vrajlal & Co. added, “Fashion is in every facet and is unique to everyone, just like diamonds. Diamonds are one-of-a-kind & precious gifts of earth, which is what gives the wearer the feeling of being extraordinary and special every day. The range of daily wears luxury jewellery from Vrajlals harps on this very aspect of being real, unique and rare.”
Ketan Chokshi of Narayan Jewellers said, “Being raised in a family which is in the jewellery industry for five generations and then taking it up as a profession, I am very close to my jewellery, especially diamonds.” The 3rd generation jeweller who has graduated from Gemmological Institute of America further said, “I am very emotional about my designs. The sense of rarity forever appeals to me. I love playing with designs suited for everyday prêt wear and the same can be witnessed in our new collection.”
Collection 14 had all the striking elements that the brand, 431-88, is known for. Collection 14 from Shweta Kapur’s 431-88 label was all about travelling with perfect sartorial elegance around the globe. Further accentuating the looks were the prêt jewellery from the house of Vrajlals and Co. and Narayan Jewellers which were fine examples of daily wear diamond jewellery.
