'A woman can have it all'

As a young girl, she found immense joy in wearing her mother’s jewellery. Growing up watching her mother create jewellery designs for her personal collection, Alpana Gujral developed a special love for precious metals.

Her love turned into a passionate affair and Alpana is today a distinguished jewellery designer who has perfected the craft for over 25 years now. 

A graduate from Delhi School of Art, she has worked closely with master craftsmen from Rajasthan to develop her signature style of jewellery – a fusion of traditional styles with contemporary forms.

Her handcrafted jewels break conventional and commercial designs, and “enhance the sensuality of a woman’’.

   An innovator in the field, her designs have oriental splendour with Baroque exuberance.

“I was interested in creating a unique collection that was elaborate, yet functional,” says Alpana. She believes that “jewellery should be glamorous and wearable at the same time. It has to stand the test of time and has to have a versatility to suit a person’s hectic lifestyle — professionally and socially.”

She says, “My designs are suited for all occasions — from lunches to dinners and charity event to wedding functions. They are for anyone who enjoys being unique.” 

Her recent ‘Bijoux Collection’ remains true to its roots and includes a wide range of necklaces, cocktail rings and earrings. Designed using precious stones, they mainly have pearls, gold and diamonds.  “The ‘Bijoux Collection’ is consistent with my ‘art deco’ theme. They are all designed with precious stones and honour a woman. Her beauty is to be celebrated with jewellery, which beautifies her mind and body with confidence. When we look good, we feel good too,” she says. Known for mixing traditional style with contemporary design, her designs are fit for a cosmopolitan woman. She believes that “a woman can have it all”.

Described as a designer with an alliance of contemporary and classic styles, she says that her family is her main source of inspiration. “I come from a family of artists. It is here where I learnt discerning aesthetic value in pattern, form and colour. While the themes change each season, the essence of my collections remain the same — Moghul designs with modern day sensibilities,” she details. While she primarily uses gold for her designs, she also includes silver as “some pieces look edgier in silver” and uses precious stones like polki, diamonds, emeralds, rubies and tanzanite.

Style to her is comfort and she says it should be effortless. “Flowing clothes with contemporary bold jewels is my staple look.” With a philosophy of staying true to one’s essence and originality, she says, “Do not follow the masses. Find your niche and never lose sight of it.” Her ‘Bijoux Collection’ will be displayed at Evoluzione on August 13 and 14.