From American presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton to the queen of Morocco, from socialite Paris Hilton to supermodel Naomi Campbell to Bollywood stars Kangana Ranaut and Katrina Kaif, reads the client list for jewellery designer Queenie Singh Sethia.
A former Miss India, Singh Sethia launched Jewels By Queenie in 2003. The jewellery line offers contemporary designs with a touch of the timeless. She will be bringing her pieces once again at the Araaish exhibition on Saturday in Taj Hotel Dubai.
“Jewellery is embedded in our tradition and even today passed down over generations as heirlooms or collected as part of a trousseau by older generations,” Singh Sethia told tabloid!.
“Jewellery was considered as security, prestige and royalty for Indian women, but today’s woman buys jewellery for fashion, style and status too. Today women want to adorn — and buy — themselves their choice of jewellery. It’s no longer a gift from a man.”
Here are excerpts from the interview:
How do you conceive your designs?
I started dabbling in designing jewellery during college as I designed for myself and my friends. What started as a passion became a career. I started educating myself about metals and stones and the industry itself. I am inspired by anything that’s beautiful. Sometimes it could be new materials, stones or techniques. Sometimes I take my inspiration from timeless pieces or art.
Jewellery has always been an important part of shringar [get-up] for an Indian woman. Why do you think that is so and how has her taste for it changed over time?
We are a rich culture born out of tradition and heritage and the adornment of women. Over time women have changed. We lead a lifestyle with less emphasis on ethnic traditions and it requires us to wear lighter contemporary jewellery that doesn’t scream out but truly reflect our personal style.
In Indian fashion we see a lot of Western fusion even though there is still a lot of the traditional. In your experience, what is it that the modern Indian woman looks for in her jewellery today in terms of design, materials used, etc?
The modern Indian woman is looking for value. Not just value in money but also in wear, new techniques with gold, such as beaten gold, are popular. The modern woman wants to have fun with what she wears, yet be comfortable with it. Today, a lot of urban Indian women prefer wearing innovative designer jewellery, individually customised. Flamboyant art-deco style too is reflected in our extravagant cuffs and rings. Art deco is a mix of traditional and contemporary style.
You’ve been in the UAE several times. How would you describe the fashion scene in here?
Very bling! They truly enjoy their jewellery and their clothes. They like to be noticed and are up to par with global fashion trends.
It will be your first Diwali after your marriage to Rishi Sethia. Jewellery buying is a tradition in this festival. Have you designed something special for this occasion for yourself?
I only design for my collection but I can actually pick and choose what I like as it’s mine anyway (laughs). I do enjoy wearing my own pieces.
Don’t miss it
Araaish will be held at Taj Dubai in Business Bay on Saturday, September 12, from noon to 8pm.
