At Deepti Sudhindra’s store, which houses her 10-year-old jewellery label, The Jewelry Project, there are three distinct stories waiting to be told — of the lotus, of the moon and of the concept of tantra. They are stories that she’s been unable to tell completely, as the pieces that represent them keep getting sold out. It’s not for nothing that Lonely Planet lists her Lavelle Road store as a must-visit when in Bengaluru. This evening, the well-known dancer and designer, hosts a small soiree, showcasing what she calls The Winter Moon Collection, which will feature each of these three lines.
The moon forms the motif for the first series. Handcrafted from pure silver at her workshop in Malleswaram, the crescent, half and full moons are supplemented with intricate filigree work and gems that range from rubies to emeralds. There’s also some beaten metal detailing. In some pieces, fresh water pearls complement and contrast the gleaming silver. “We try to paint a story with our jewellery. The moon series talks about the phases of the moon, while the lotus collection seeks to portray the symbolism of the flower across various cultures,” explains Deepti. This line includes minimalistic pieces. For example, a single string silver bracelet is accentuated with a pendant that features a flat silver disc with a lotus-shaped cutout. The tantra line, on the other hand, represents the masculine and feminine symbols in Indian mythology.
Minimalism is a theme that seems to be close to Deepti’s heart, but there’s a side to her that revels in deep hues and elaborate detailing. This is evident in her use of stones such as lapis lazuli, amethyst, rose quartz and labradorite, not to mention rubies and emeralds. However, the designer does it with such skillfulness that they do not come across as over the top or showy. “I remember when I started out, there weren’t any Indian jewellery brands that worked with a concept or theme. People warned me against doing something so out of the box, but I stuck with it, because it was something I strongly believed in,” says Deepti, whose designs have been sold at boutique stores in New York, Barcelona and Munich.
Apart from silver, The Jewelry Project also offers bespoke gold jewellery. But for the first time in their decade-long existence, they will be releasing a collection of gold jewellery in the next few months. “I hope to change the notion that gold has to be elaborate and traditional,” Deepti signs off.
Rs.2,000 upwards. At Lavelle Road.