All things bold and beautiful. That’s always been the Isharya signature. With ‘Wild Things’, the brand’s spring-summer ’24 line, the narrative continues. We dialled Gauri Tandon, co-founder, Isharya, to know more about the statement-y line and how the brand had evolved over the years.
Your spring-summer collection is interestingly titled ‘Wild Things’. Can you tell us about the name?
With our ‘Wild Things’ collection we invite you to explore your wild side and unleash your bold. This collection is all about electric hues, dazzling crystals and bold designs to bring out your most daring self this summer.
What would you say are the hero pieces?
Our hand-cut mirror pieces as well as our enamel jewellery are the most loved by our customers. So, I would say those are the hero pieces.
Isharya has always been about a maximal-minimal sensibility. What are your top tips to work bold pieces?
I think jewellery is that one piece in your wardrobe that can instantly transform your mood and look. I love having that one statement piece of jewellery with an otherwise simple outfit like a cocktail ring or chunky cuff with a classic shirt and denim look. I also love jewellery stacking where you can style minimal pieces with one or two maximal styles. There’s so much you can do with jewellery. It’s really up to you!
Who is as bold as the Isharya core?
Zendaya, Rihanna, Kim K and increasingly Dua Lipa are inspiring our moodboards.
When it comes to spring-summer, what are your jewellery faves?
I love all things bright and beautiful for summer. When it comes to jewellery, I love neon pieces.
Can you recollect for us how your design journey began?
It was many years ago that I designed my first piece of jewellery and sent it to my sister-in-law, Radhika Tandon, who was based out of the US at the time. She loved the piece and wore it to a party that a fashion editor was attending. It didn’t take long for the editor to fall in love with it! She asked me to design another one for her. And just like that, word about Isharya spread, and I have an innate love for and have always been drawn to jewellery. Even when I was studying for my Master’s degree in London, jewellery was at the top of my shopping list.
When Isharya started, it was a niche sensibility. Now, the awareness is much more. How has the perception towards concept jewellery changed over the years?
Initially, when we started this brand, there wasn’t anyone else doing this kind of jewellery in India. I would say we’re the pioneers of creating concept jewellery. While people loved our jewellery, they found it expensive in the beginning but as time went by, people are really able to see that our jewellery is worth every penny because only the best quality materials go into its making. Also, more and more people are buying our jewellery for travel because it’s worry-free, statement and versatile, all in one.
What has always remained the brand ethos?
Isharya has always been about making traditional Indian jewellery more modern, wearable and accessible. Our first logo was inspired by the Indian polki technique. We as a jewellery brand really look at the wearability of each piece and try to incorporate an Indian touch as much as possible, maintaining a global aesthetic.
Who remains an Isharya muse?
Muses keep changing but when I started Isharya, I really designed each piece thinking whether it was something I would wear. So even today, I wouldn’t make anything that I wouldn’t wear myself!
Coming back to the journey of Isharya, what are your plans for the brand?
There’s lots in the pipeline. I wish to see Isharya transform into a lifestyle brand one day. I would love to extend Isharya’s signature aesthetic to homeware, fashion accessories and more.
