Ornate ornaments!

jewellery

This week You! talks to Lahore-based jewellery designer

Shafaq Habib about her latest collection... 

There is nothing that brings a smile to our face like a pretty ring, an elegant necklace, or some sparkly earrings. An exquisitely crafted piece of jewellery lifts our spirits and can add oomph to our wardrobe. Designing beautiful pieces of jewellery is not an easy task as there are a lot of complexities involved while creating them. The skill that goes into the creation of a jewellery piece is either God gifted or learnt through trial and error. And Shafaq Habib is one such veteran designer who has been creating beautiful ornaments using gold and precious stones since the ‘80s.

Shafaq’s  jewellery is a unique fusion of eastern aesthetics with western elements inspired from her travels around the world. The designer runs her outlet in Lahore and just recently, she has opened another flagship store in Lahore and also held exhibitions in Islamabad and Karachi. This week You! talks exclusively to Shafaq Habib...

You! How did it all start? What inspired you to become a jewellery designer?

Shafaq Habib: I moved to New York in 1975 after getting married and wanted to buy jewellery which was wearable with Pakistani as well as western clothes. But the Pakistani jewellery available was too shiny and heavy and the western was too simple and boring for my requirement. So I decided to learn jewellery making and create fusion jewellery.

You! What is your design philosophy?

S.H: I am a great believer of beautiful jewellery and think it should be wearable, affordable and long lasting.

You! Why do you think women should wear designer jewellery?

S.H: Stylish women always want to be different than others and jewellery pieces made by good designers fulfil that wish.

You! How many exhibitions have you held so far - locally and internationally?

S.H: I think more than 400 exhibitions in the past 35years. I have held exhibitions in different cities of USA, London, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Jakarta, Singapore, India, Cairo, Istanbul and many more.

You! What is your latest collection about?

S.H: It is inspired by Nizam of Hyderabad’s jewellery exhibition. I went to Hyderabad, India a few years back and visited the exhibition. The amazing jewellery left a great impact on me, so I decided to design few pieces keeping that Mughal collection in mind. This collection includes Hyderabadi guluband, kiran phool and satlara with mesh filigree; long strands of pearls and polki diamonds; emeralds, rubies and other unique assortment of pearls crafted in traditional jhumkas, chandbalas and magars with a modern twist. The polki diamond chokers, teekas and jhoomers are all inspired by the great Nizam’s collection.

You! Do you design jewellery pieces keeping the latest trends in mind?

S.H: I have just come back from America and over there I attended a few seminars and conferences of jewellery designers and picked up a lot of new trends. Keeping those trends in mind I will be designing new pieces; in fact I am already working on my new collection.

You! Is your jewellery made of pure gold? Which gems and stones do you usually use for your jewellery?

S.H: Our jewellery is made in 22 carat gold. For diamond jewellery we use 18 carat gold because it is harder and can hold diamonds better. Few of our pieces are also set in silver with diamonds.

You! How was the response of your recent exhibition held in Karachi?

S.H: The response was great. Many of my old clients came along with their daughters and granddaughters to get their bridals designed. That was very flattering.

You! Do you make exclusive pieces or do you repeat your designs?

S.H: Most of my jewellery is exclusive. However, there are also pieces I make that can be repeated.

You! Do you design every piece yourself?

S.H: Yes, most of the times. But my daughter Misha who is a jewellery designer from Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) also designs and handles the marketing.

You! What distinguishes your jewellery from others?

S.H: My jewellery has a unique signature style which distinguishes it from the rest. Jewellery is my passion and people always tell me it shows in my work. I put my heart into every piece I design and I am very proud of it.

You! Which jewellery designers have influenced you?

S.H: I have always been a great fan of Coco Chanel and I have great admiration for Bulgari jewellery specially his choice of coloured stones.

You! What makes your line so special?

S.H: The unique and rare choice of pearls and stones with our ethnic techniques make it different than the rest.

You! What type of women does your jewellery line cater to?

S.H: Educated, enlightened women who have an eye for beautiful and valuable jewellery.

You! Do you have clients abroad?

S.H: I have a lot of clients abroad as my jewellery fulfils their need for jewellery pieces which are classy as well as contemporary.

You! What are your future plans?

S.H: I believe in quality more than quantity so right now I am concentrating on my new store.