Be a Bauble

By Richa Bhatia

Mawi Keivom's jewellery line retailed by Ozel.

London-based jewellery designer Mawi Keivom brings her autumn-winter line to Delhi

Mawi Keivom's jewellery has been inspired by the years she spent travelling around the world. “It’s aggressive, edgy and diverse in terms of styling.

I believe the time has come when people in India are more open to independent brands, which are not so well-known. Internationally, my line is stocked at Harrods and Selfridges next to Prada, Gucci and Miu Miu,” says the 30-something Mizo designer, based in London. She’s in India to promote the autumn-winter line, retailed by Ozel, a boutique that houses international independent brands such as Marchesa, Sass & Bide and Forever Unique Location. So far, her seven-year-old eponymous jewellery brand, launched in London, has attracted a formidable A-list clientele — the fashionable Brit pack Kate Moss, Lizzy Jagger, Leah Wood and Alexa Chung have sported her pieces.

Keivom’s popularity was evident at a recent lunch at the Olive Bar and Kitchen, One Style Mile in Mehrauli, where the Capital’s socialites’ pack turned up, on time, ditching the wintry opaques with oversized jersey tees, wispy blouses over old cardigans paired with tapered trousers. Designer Preeti Chandra fawned over the collection, terming it “truly remarkable and stylish”, while theatre artist Vidhushi Mehra was found gushing over the heirloom line over a glass of Four Seasons red.

Later, Keivom, a trained womenswear designer explained the swish set about the unique one-off pieces that feel almost like “precious heirlooms”. “I have always been a collector of interesting pieces and vintage jewellery, which I put together to create something strong, edgy and out-there,” she said. For Keivom, dabbling in baubles happened organically. “I am a regular to the flea market and in Delhi I scour Chandni Chowk for beads and sequins,” shared Keivom. Her partnership with Ozel began last year.

Her latest line, priced at Rs 15,000 upwards, boasts of feminine pieces in Swarovski crystals and pearls. “The pieces are not too edgy and futuristic, but they can jazz up an outfit. One has to keep in mind that they are not precious metals, I use a lot of brass and the pieces are gold-plated,” she shared. On the table was a mixed bag of costume pieces — soft pearl florets juxtaposed with earrings with jagged ends, chunky cocktail rings for the South Delhi stiletto set and a tube industrial-looking necklace for the experimental lot. The pieces are available at Ozel’s 1000-odd square feet store in the M Block market, Greater Kailash, Part 1.

Up next, Keivom is opening her first store in London’s gentrified area, Shoreditch, and she has also snapped up a runway and shop collection for Hugo Boss. Very soon, she will also design the Disney Couture jewellery for the mainstream animation characters — Minnie and Mickey. “I am very excited about these ventures,” gushed Keivom.

via Indian Express