Her accessories define her style

Once upon a time a young girl added her jewels and vintage baubles to a customised charm necklace that inspired hundreds of copycat versions across the globe.

This sounds no less than a fairy tale for the result was the successful launch of MAWI brand
at London Fashion Week in 2002!

Its director Mawi Keivom who lives and works in East London today has her roots in Manipur. Metrolife spoke to her when she recently visited the Capital as part of her association with Koovs.com where her latest collection of jewellery is available, at quite an affordable price range.

“I respect tradition and change the old to make it relevant today. It is important to focus on how you can retain the originality while giving a design a fresh spin,” says Keivom.

“It’s a thing that girls love. Even if she is a tom boy, the jewellery does add to their personality,” she says explaining her reasons for choosing accessory designing as a profession.

Metrolife notices a dozen rings adorning her fingers and feels compelled to ask her about them.

“Rings and bracelets are my thing. I have bought them from flea markets in UK and this flower ring is from Khan Market,” she says pointing to one of the rings in her hand.

Soon she discloses that she comes back to Delhi’s markets like Chandni Chowk and Janpath to shop for herself. Admitting that she falls for “the silver jewellery that one gets in Kinari Bazar,” she says, “I wear a lot of vintage jewellery and like a mix of Indian and tribal designs. I always go to Janpath and Karol Bagh for it. I even go to Old Delhi where you get old clothes, opposite Red Fort. I don’t think any fashion designer goes there,” she says in her soft voice.

Known to create works that define the past, present and future, Keivom says “I have always been influenced by India. Be it the bold colours or the glitter. Infact, I have been inspired by all the cultures – Africa, Middle-East, Pakistan and India – which is important, but not the only thing that inspires me. People have always been looking to the East and the West for inspiration, and that is how the cultural exchange takes place.”

Born to diplomat parents, she got a chance to explore the world at quite a young age. “I am quite adaptable. One of my favourite things is to pick up the bag and shift to another city. Infact, I could live all my life carrying a suitcase,” she giggles explaining how she enrolled herself in Fashion Design at the Auckland Institute of Technology in New Zealand.

“I wanted to go to London but my father didn’t agree. But I believe that if you have the talent then the university you study in doesn’t matter.”

Well said!