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Photo: R_Ragu

CZARINA OF STYLE Mallyka with her jewellery line

“There is beauty in simplicity,” begins the jewellery designer, who makes her Chennai debut at Collage, Greams Road. “It’s important to stick to a simple aesthetic to appeal to contemporary tastes. Clean lines and easy shapes match any outfit – traditional or modern. I have three collections – all silver, gold-plated and pure gold. But the understated look runs through all the creations. I call my lines ‘Bellissima’, which means beautiful in Italian.”

Be it the collection of disc jewellery (fluid round and oval shapes created into fine pieces) that come with the contemporary beaten look and scratch finish or the free-flowing chandeliers (with mixed stones) and jumkas (beautiful silver beads and pearls), Mallyka’s designs are unfussy. “People don’t love elaborate jewellery any more. They want pieces that can be put in pouches and slipped into their handbags. Basically, cross-over patterns that can see them from day to night or work-place to evening-out. That’s why I keep my designs simple with a few surprises thrown in.”

Swirling circles and perfect squares mark the range that’s inspired by geometric shapes, while flowers and feathers reflect another line that draws heavily from Nature. “The future is about custom-made jewellery. So I can restrict the number of circles or knock out a few flowers depending on the clients’ requirements.”

Mallyka doesn’t go overboard for the all-gold line too. “The patters are not just easy, they also blend the traditional with the modern (such as the chain-earrings with tiny stone-encrusted spheres). The idea is to use our traditional craft techniques to create pieces that have a contemporary look. I also do an ethnic line of high end jewellery using precious stones.”

Talk about her inspirations, and she instantly recalls her lineage. “Growing up in Rajasthan was wonderful. The house of Dundlod, the Fort, the festivities and my dad’s Marwari Horse safaris…Jaipur is a celebration of colour. Crafts, textiles, jewellery or the performing arts… it’s like a festival through the year. I owe a lot to the place. With tourists visiting the place, I got a feel of their tastes as well. Besides, during my school days at Ajmer, I was exposed to a

cocktail of cultures. I moved to Manipal for my graduation in Hotel Management. The desire to give tourists something different drove me into design. And thankfully, it’s been a successful run,” smiles the New Delhi-based designer, who also retails from Zara Simon outlets in the U.K.

T. KRITHIKA REDDY

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