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This Gujral is different
HER SURNAME creates more ripples than her name does but Alpana Gujral is at ease with her family name and yearning for her share of fame with her dual profession of interior and jewellery designing.
"Living up to my name is more important for me and the fact that I am still around in my field proves it is your talent that essentially takes you forward. Surnames are nothing more than launch pads," says Alpana, daughter of the illustrious painter Satish Gujral.
"I have grown up seeing my mother designing her jewellery and got attracted to the art doing little things for her. I started by designing for family, friends and of course myself and was at peace with my interior designing work till my friends cajoled me into doing it professionally two years back, elaborates Alpana, known for restoring shikarghar of the erstwhile royalty of Jaipur for the Taj Group.
Right now it is the trinkets designed as traditional Jadau Jewellery of Rajasthan, remixed according to contemporary tastes that are holding Alpana's attention. "Jadau Jewellery is basically done in areas around Bikaner. We hire master craftsmen from there. Gold is used as the base and it is set with uncut diamonds, sapphires, rubies." And what about metals like platinum, which have a nouveau appeal. "No, gold is back in fashion internationally and in India it has always been in demand. Anyway as far as needs of the trendy are concerned white gold takes care of them."
Ask her about the latest trends and one finds that fusion fad hasn't spared even the jewels. "Indians have evolved aesthetically in the last 20 years. Now women want a mix of contemporary and traditional. Gone are the days when jewellery had to be stored in lockers once the marriage ceremony was over. Generally, it is the older women who want to give a change to their ornaments.
Besides her studio, Alpana has put limited edition pieces of her work at GLS, 1MG Road as well and claims the prices are competitive in comparison to the neighbourhood family jeweller.
On the interiors front, Alpana maintains the minimalist look is in vogue and it is going to stay. "Soothing earthy hues are wooing the consumers with pastels being hot for bedrooms. In drawing rooms neutral colours are casting their spell with an ascent of red or blue adding brightness to routine. People have also stopped cluttering their living rooms with furniture. There are fewer pieces with cleaner lines. The best thing that has happened in the past few years is that people have stopped aping the West and are sport for all sorts of tastes."
Tired of window-shopping. Give Alpana a chance to deck you this season.
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