MISHO’s journey into the world of High Jewellery begins in the vibrant city of Jaipur, India, known for its rich cultural heritage and the ‘coloured gemstone capital of the world.
Founder and creative director, Suhani Parekh, delves into the realm of High Jewellery with the JAIPUR collection, a series of 16 beautiful designs wrought of gold, pearls and precious stones. Inspired by a memory of a midnight walk through the ancient gates of the City Palace.
Jewellery is often a talisman that crystallises memories and beliefs. Through her designs Suhani explores the symbolism of a gate in itself; a threshold between the physical and spiritual realms, a transition between realities. This liminal state felt more pronounced than ever as she stood between the four gates of the Palace’s inner courtyard, that are believed to represent the four seasons, bringing to mind the transient nature of reality and the passage from one state to another.
Princess Gauravi Kumari (left) | Suhani Parekh (right)
With respect to design and form, her exploration of the architectural beauty of the gates themselves became the language of the collection as she integrated their silhouettes, forms, textures and motifs into each of the pieces.
The myriad of lanes in Jaipur’s iconic, UNESCO protected ‘Johri Bazaar’, where the city’s centuries old traditions are woven into every corner, led her to the gemstone quarter. It is here that she carefully sourced her sapphires, rubies and emeralds. The choice of each stone drawn from distinct motifs and colours of the gates, vibrant spring greens and summer pinks of the Lotus and Leheriya Gate, the deep blues of the autumn Peacock gate, and the rich ruby reds of the roses that mark the Winter gate.
Gold has always been intrinsic to MISHO’s language, from bold sculptural jewels to 24K plated bodices. The beautiful yellow metal is inextricable from Suhani’s design practice, inspired by her beloved India and its deep rooted connection to the precious metal. Her use of gold is often a subtle homage to both India’s tradition and women. The pieces of this collection are handcrafted in 18K SMO gold and recycled gold from her personal pieces.
The collection showcases India’s rich craftsmanship, using techniques specific to the region, handset stones, meenakari enameling and pearls which have been intricately strung.
MISHO is proud to collaborate with Princess Gauravi Kumari and the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation (PDKF), a charity dedicated to empowering women and girls in rural Rajasthan through opportunities, advice, and education. Part proceeds from the sales of the pieces will be donated to the charity’s vital work.
“As an artist and designer, I often enjoy the privilege of being inspired by the cities I travel to. I take in the architecture, the culture, the history, the colours and wonderful conversations. Jaipur gave me so much as I conceived and worked on this collection. I wanted to give back to the city and the beautiful people that inspired me and helped me bring my design vision to life. PDKF, led by Princess Gauravi Kumari and her team, is doing incredible work empowering local communities of women and I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their efforts.” - Suhani Parekh.
“While in Jaipur, it’s impossible not to be inspired by the art, architecture, and craft heritage that is so special to this region. At PDKF, our work is focused on ensuring the traditional handicrafts of this area — those crafts which make Jaipur so special — do not fade away. Working with MISHO, a brand which is so committed to weaving narratives into their creations, has been exciting. It’s incredible to see how they’ve synthesised the stories of Jaipur, and the City Palace, into every piece.” - Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur.
Words Platform Desk
Date 26.02.2025