By Papri Das

Tanishq has launched the second edition of the Farah Khan Collection. The jewellery range is an extension to the elaborate diamond jewellery collection line launched last year. Designed by renowned celebrity jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali, the collection is a take on the royal rhapsody of the Persian and Mughal aesthetics in a contemporary perspective.

Unveiled by Farah Khan Ali and Titan Company head of jewellery division Sandeep Kulhalli, inspiration was brought to life as beautiful models sashayed down the runway, draped in striking outfits, complemented by the stunning diamond jewellery designed by Ali.

Overjoyed with her second collaboration with the brand, she said, ?I am extremely elated to announce the launch of the second edition of the Farah Khan for Tanishq line.?

When asked about her thought behind the collection, Ali said, ?This collection is a recreation of a glorious era of grandeur, splendor and preciousness. Using intricate floral and bird motifs, it marks a royal celebration of exotic new forms, inspired by striking silhouettes and enchanting colors.?

The diamond accessories that the models sashayed in were crafted in 18k gold with diamonds and other precious stones like rubies, emeralds, pearls, citrine, amethysts and topaz amongst others. With an assortment of chandelier earrings, cocktail rings, pendant sets and bracelets, the collection has taken a step forward by adding multi finger rings, ring-earring sets, ear cuffs and front back earring sets to cater to the fashionable trend in jewellery today. 

Speaking about the target clientele for the collection, Kulhalli said, ?This collection is for the Indian woman, who considers jewellery to be an extension of her personality. We are pleased to have Farah back in the Tanishq family as we celebrate the success of this stunning range of jewellery. We are confident this second edition will be as successful as the first one, if not more, and have an appeal amongst women of diverse age groups across India.?

The versatile collection can be paired with both ethnic as well as western outfits.

By Papri Das

All that glitters is most definitely gold and giving credence to this was the first day of India International Jewellery Week, which saw the launch of Tanishq?s latest gold collection - The Divyam.

The Divyam was a world removed from the usual modern aesthetics that our eyes are trained to see in fashion shows. Floral garlands decorated the sidewalks of the runway, while temple bells and powerful spiritual chants replaced the ?oh-so-familiar? peppy background music that models catwalk on. The fragrance of the flowers too added to the mystic and holy ambience of the runway.

With the elegant and effervescent Juhi Chawla?s association with the brand, anticipation was already high surrounding Tanishq?s latest launch. From follower-heavy lifestyle and fashion bloggers to eminent industry honchos and stylists, the house was packed with a buzzing audience. The opening semi-classical dance was quick to grab attention, soon followed by models who effortlessly sashayed in displaying the glowing yellow metal around them. Carved out of 22 carat gold, The Divyam is inspired by the heritage surrounding Indian temples, at the same time keeping it lightweight for more contemporary patrons.

Titan jewellery division, associate vice president of design Revathi Kant said, ?When you talk of heritage, temples offer a great deal of inspiration for us designers. First is the architecture, then the figurines, and of course myths and stories that are associated with temples make it a treasure trove for inspirations. What we have tried to do is take all of that along with their intricacies and represent it through the designs in the jewellery collection, and create a product, which is hand crafted for today?s modern woman.?

Kant further added that their target patron for The Divyam collection is the contemporary woman who prefers lighter jewellery, and yet loves a touch of ethnicity and gold on her. ?It?s an ethno-contemporary collection. They are more of statement pieces. The jewellery can go with sarees, or even with a maxi dress or a black cocktail gown. It has been designed keeping the modern Indian woman in mind, who is not necessarily donning a saree all the time,? said the designer.

The collection features different gold techniques like nakashi work, laser cut stamps and cut work. Apart from the distinct lockets with straight edges, what was noteworthy was the use of ?jhumkas? in the collection. Kant explained that it was a conscious decision keeping in mind the current consumer trends.

?Jhumkas are very much in focus this season. Not just that, ear-wear are selling pretty well. There are beautiful ear cups and there is a lot of adornment around ears, which can be experimented with. Jhumkas add that perfect touch of tradition with otherwise sharper and edgier neck pieces,? Kant added.

The show was divided into three major segments, with classical dancers playing perfect interludes with their dance moves. Their final act tactfully built up the atmosphere for the show-stopper to hit the stage. As Chawla glided in elegantly, showcasing the many necklaces of various lengths with the masterfully made stone studded gold choker at the center of all attention, the crowd couldn't help but applaud.

After the show was over, the bubbly actress told this website that when it comes to jewellery, she was more inclined towards the traditional. ?I love traditional jewellery so needless to say that I prefer more intricate designs. I like polki and jadau jewellery,? she said.

When asked to pick her favourite from the numerous necklaces she was adorning, Chawla initially finds herself in a bind, unable to pick one but finally decides on the gorgeous polki choker. ?I really like what I am wearing. Each one of them is stunning. My favourite would be the choker but I really can?t pick,? she says. ?I love them so much that I want to take all of them home, until they said they will come running with the bills,? she signs off with a wink.

By Papri Das

Light years, speed, a day, hours, minutes, and seconds -- for centuries, men have been fascinated with time keepers. And amongst them, analog watches have been a symbol of achievement and progress for the eclectic man, and has survived the digital era quite remarkably. Even after the launch of iWatch, which was widely expected to eat into the market for premium watches, analogs made by Swiss companies still thrive. The reason being the time, effort and sheer skill that goes into making these complicated time keeping machines, and Titan Company Limited, Watches and Accessories Division, CEO H G Raghunath can personally vouch for it.

Raghunath has been associated with Titan for over 38 years, and as he retires from his services on 30 June, he reflects over his journey with a heavy heart. ?I have worked with the organisation over three decades now and each day has been full of memories I will cherish for a lifetime. It?s been a wonderful journey so far,? says the avid watch aficionado.

When it comes to time keepers, Raghunath?s philosophy is simple ? to each is their own.

?Every person has a different evaluation of time as literally speaking it is the time elapsed between one action and another. Therefore watch makers continue to come up with new and innovate ways to represent time,? shares Raghunath, when Exec Life caught up with him at the launch of Titan?s new premium range of Moon Phase watches, Celestial Time.

Taking the moon phase as an example, Raghunath further explains, ?These types to watches have high precision movements and it is not possible for an ordinary person to put it together. A complete watch is a piece of art. Movements are to watches what engine is to cars. Inside a car the engine will have ordinary gears, auto transmission, four wheel drivers, etc. In a watch all that is visible ? that allows you to check time by hour, minute, second, days, years and even use the chronogram to measure each event separately. In a moon phase watch, as you approach towards the New moon day, the moon one can see through the case visibly wanes in a fortnight, and the similar process is repeated for the full moon day, where the moon grows. Now it might sound simple but each brand has its own unique way to build a moon phase watch, and so does Titan.?

Priced between Rs 12,000 - 15,000, Titan?s exclusive range of moon phase watches are aimed at the young batch of entrepreneurs and below 30 CEOs who represent the new India.

An avid collector of time keepers, Raghunath owns 73 watches till date including the new rosewood coloured moon phase watches. ?My first ever watch was gifted to me by my parents. But the first watch that I owned was a Titan watch, which I bought after joining the company. My family and I have an affinity for watches. My two daughters love flaunting their watches and they carry all the watches, which I have collected as well. My favourite so far is the one is the classical gold plated Edge by Titan, which my wife has bought for me.?

When asked to recommend a watch for the young men out their who want to cultivate their taste in fine luxury watches, Raghunath gives a simple tip. ?Wear a watch for time keeping first, and then as a fashion accessory. It will help you respect others? time as well as your own.?