Bansri Mehta on How to Make Career as a Jewellery Designer

Shiksha.com is always on the lookout for industry experts who can bring you actual insights about education opportunities and career trends in different sectors. Bansri Mehta is an ace jewellery designer whose love for glamour and fashion an unique cross cultural upbringing becomes evident in her ornate jewellery designs and striking accessories. We present an exclusive interview of Bansri Mehta at Shiksha.com for those who want to make a career as a jewellery designer.

Born and raised in Mumbai, Bansri decided to become a jewellery designer when she moved to Los Angeles, California. Her stylishly chic designs are not limited to a particular style or look but are quite eclectic in themselves. One can easily find Bansri's unique jewellery collections at ultra-chic boutiques located in USA, India, Dubai, Paris & London.

Shiksha: What is the USP of your brand ‘Bansri Joaillerie'?

Bansri: My designs are international and stylish collection of couture costume jewelry with one-off bold statement & conversation starter pieces.

Shiksha: You have worked for Mallika Sherawat as well as Sarah's character Carrie in Sex and the City. What differences do you perceive in jewellery trends and choices in Indian markets and abroad?

Bansri: Jewelry trends abroad lean towards a blend of cultural & ethnic aesthetic combined with contemporary designs whereas jewelry trends in India, especially in the metropolitan cities, lean towards contemporary, modern, or sophisticated designs that celebrate the aesthetic outline of the female figure.

Shiksha: Besides Jewellery, you also design accessories and shoes. We would like to what is most important thing that you keep in mind while designing jewellery?

Bansri: Costume Jewelry trends tend to change very quickly as it has to follow the fashion trends, the colors, the lifestyle patterns of the people, so quickness to market is imperative. When you make a career as a jewellery designer, it can be very challenging to bring the designs into form because you are working with three dimensional forms & various kinds of materials - which may not always hold together.

The most important thing to keep in mind while designing jewellery is to maintain the quality of the design. Hence, you have to choose your stones and materials very carefully.

Shiksha: Tell us something about your experiences at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, California, USA when you were still a student there?

Bansri: I studied various aspects of design, not only jewelry design but also fashion design, merchandising & apparel manufacturing. This gave me a complete understanding how the form, the cut, the lines, the fabric, the styling all together has to complement the jewelry. It is not about wearing any piece of jewelry to go with the outfit, but it is about expressing the individual's beauty through the design, while making sure that it befits the occasion.

Shiksha: Your work has often been described as ‘eclectic and esoteric'. Where do you look for new ideas? What is your signature style?

Bansri: With Paris as an inspirational backdrop, the "Joaillerie Collection" was created out of a calling to adorn women with creative, original and sophisticated designs celebrating the aesthetic outline of the female figure. The elevated spirit and high tempo of urban life is the main source of inspiration for me.

My signature wire wrapping technique lends a personal and handcrafted touch to each piece. My designs are also quite versatile. Convertible and detachable concepts allow one to create several looks with the same piece.

Shiksha: Which jewellery designing institutes in India and abroad would you recommend to those who are interested in taking up jewellery designing as a career? Why do you recommend those particular institutes?

Bansri: Being a graduate from FIDM, Los Angeles, I would be partial towards this institute, however Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC is also a very good institute & there are specialized courses in Paris. They bring together an international flavor to the design concepts, so the students can open their minds to a universe of possibilities & can learn various techniques, the knowledge base is vast and one can explore the creative skills and bring out the best of their talent.

Shiksha: What advice would you like to share with students who want to make career as a jewellery designer? How should they position themselves to success in jewellery designing industry?

Bansri: To be a successful jewelry designer, it is imperative to study the trends, understand your target audience, know who your customer base is, so you can create innovative designs specific to that market as wearing jewelry is an experience to cherish and celebrates the individual's characteristic with style & élan.

Having a good education in the history of jewelry, the techniques, the various forms one can combine, the setting, all these aspects give a solid foundation to be able to design creatively.

 

Source: Ruchi Shrimali (Shiksha Team)