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The Midas Touch: Vandana Agarwal
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Ageless and ethereal jewelry has always been a part of an Indian woman's ensemble. ''An Indian woman's innermost feelings, and desire are reflected not only in her grace and beauty, but also in the ornaments enveloping her,'' says designer Vandana Agarwal.
Agarwal recently launched the Midas Collection at her upscale showroom - Studio Midas Touch located at Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri, Mumbai. The collection boasts of a pomp and splendor reminiscent of the jewelry collection based on historical designs dating back to days of Shah Jahan.
A jewelry connoisseur and stylist for over a decade, Agarwal, joined forces with one of Jaipur's leading and reputed jeweler's Purushottam Poddar to recreate an aura and heritage of jewelry craftsmanship dating back to 2000 BC. Midas Touch specializes in handcrafted Jadau, period Victorian art deco and one of kind diamond / gold trousseau ensembles.
"Our worksmiths (karigars) have generations of training and follow the same technique created by ancestors hailing back to the Mughal era," says Agarwal. "Jadau or kundan is the complement to meenakari (enameling technique) where floral, vegetal designs are etched on the one side of a necklace, bracelet, ring etc. The opposite side is embedded with precious stones in 24 carat jewelry in a precise process known as Jadau."
A jewelry lover for decades, Agarwal met with Mr. Poddar in Jaipur and found the visionary to complete her designs into reality. "Our atelier has all types of jewelry starting from as low as Rs 5,000 and up. We make contemporary and trendy designs which are also traditional by definition and can be worn by all women whether they are living in an urban centre or a smaller city."
According to Agarwal traditional Rajasthani jewelry has seen a resurgence as designs once commissioned for Kings, emperors and their royal courts are now replicated for the common man. "What was once not affordable can be made for the common man and woman," believes Agarwal and adds, "And although the value of gold is still considered one of the primary concerns when purchasing wedding sets the bride and the wedding families are now looking at longevity, and beauty.
In other words, the labor value is considered as important as the gold value and there is no denying Rajasthani jewelry holds its own as an heirloom which has traditionally been passed on from generation to generation," states Agarwal.
The majesty of these ornaments leaves you breathless making even the most ordinary bride look royal. She also believes, "This particular jewelry is fast catching on with the NRI community and we have many orders from brides abroad for at least one piece for their bridal trousseau." Agarwal loves the bracelets made from clear "pulkis " (uncut white diamonds). "This is something indigenous to our heritage and culture and looks elegant with a simple sari or adds the luster to the bridal lehenga."
The Midas Collection adorns Bollywood royalty, business-people throughout India and working yuppies. "I believe the new generation despite the trends still likes to have something of an era gone. As you can see from the detail work on these ornaments," she shows the necklace and earrings, "the lotus, elephant and floral designs are a decorative art which has endured in India due to the sheer enormity of its beauty. Timeless," gushes Agarwal and ends, "Though inner beauty always prevails and I believe there is a princess in each woman and Jadau is the only way to cherish her."
Designs are available for viewing by appointment and online www.midascollection.co.in
The Studio: Midas Touch is located at Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri.
For more information contact Vandana Agarwal at info@midascollection.co.in.
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