The tussle between desire and practicality has been an eternal one in the realm of design. But championing both is jewellery designer Musskan Agarwaal of Kiwi. She has never felt that one is separate from the other, and therefore, every piece she makes remains within the comfortable space of functionality. With the launch of her new line of jewellery, she emphasises that wearable aesthetics are one to be enjoyed.
Moving on from the subtlety of 2018, bling will be poundingly back in 2019, believes Agarwaal. “It’s all about golden in the new year. You have chains, rings, neckpieces with chain tassels, rani haars, chokers, maangtikas, armlets and bracelets made either of gold or plated with it. These pieces will be big but light,” she says.
Some of the features she has incorporated into her new line are statement necklaces such as Tanjore jewellery, mainly chokers with motifs of Krishna Ji, Radha Krishna and Buddha. The monochrome look has caught on with jewellery, with pieces being crafted in a single colour. There is a generous use of pearl and Swarovski. “Having spoken about all these trends, the best jewellery still lies in your grandmother’s closet. Heirloom jewellery is being embraced now more than ever.
These ancestral designs hold significance because they’re not made anymore. For our grandparents these were assets. For us it’s just fashion, so what they have passed on is of far greater value than anything you can purchase now,” she says. The designer’s first piece of jewellery was gifted to her by her mother. It was a Tanjore neckpiece, a gold Radha Krishna pendant with Tanjore paintings between strings of pearl. “My mom designed it herself so it is priceless,” she says.
Muskaan loves shopping from Janpath, Chandni Chowk, kiosks in malls. For somebody who has grown wearing costume jewellery, she loves their versatility, affordability and functionality. And she combines all these virtues in her work, positioning herself as a young designer whose spirit chases the skies of success.