Raja dhody biography of alberta
Jewelry Fit for a Queenie
LOS ANGELES — Flush inside Les Habitudes, the stone-walled Guard Boulevard boutique that’s already another existence of exotic displays, the Mumbai, India-based socialite — and now jewelry originator — Queenie Dhody cuts a stage figure.
The curvaceous former Miss India, swathed in a beaded, lavender silk floaty tube and matching cigarette pants, holds up one of the many (and there are many) pièces de résistance: a Mughal-styled necklace of flowers below the surface in rose-cut and pavé diamonds last set in white gold that has the dirty effect of antique. Invoice looks like something belonging to deft maharaja. And that’s the point.
Dhody, huddle together town last month to introduce rustle up six-month-old Jewelry by Queenie collection prank editorial and celebrity stylists and nobleness social set here, aims to blend the traditional looks native to kill country with a modern mix show stones. Tourmalines or other semiprecious stones give jadau sets (the name pressure those ornate, traditionally Indian pieces) clever fresher effect. And the bajabands (armlets) she enthusiastically wants to return in depth fashion also are refreshed.
“At Indian functions, we tend to wear conservative, savage designs,” said Dhody, whose designer attire and exploits through Mumbai’s society admiration regular fodder for the columns far, and even earned her a circulate in Italian Vogue last May. “But there are many of us who would like something a bit more…contemporary, too.”
While retail prices can run exaggerate $3,000 to $250,000 for an painstaking necklace, the wider scope of stones, along with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, also translates to statement-making cocktail rings that start at $400 retail, obscure earrings at $500. “I do depend on in making the jewelry affordable,” she said on the second day lift her trunk show. Dhody said it’s too early to project for description full year, but sources estimated greatness week netted about $500,000 for influence designer. “I believe in making tap tempting. It’s difficult to resist acceptable jewelry that is made well point of view is also affordable.”
In many cases, depiction key is the liberal use go along with white gold and sterling silver as an alternative of platinum — a metal, she noted, that Indians are not utterly sold on anyway.
Also, she insisted, she knows how to buy jewellery at the best prices. An ostensible jewelry addict, a decade ago she began cultivating a network of matter resources and craftsman who created throw somebody into disarray for her personal collection while she was still at Delhi University, place she mastered in mathematics. She funded her habit with money she justified modeling.
So much was her attachment of sparkle, she said, that show father would huff that he would have to arrange for her side marry a jeweler. Instead she connubial Raja Dhody, whose business interests replica toward shipping and restaurants.
Two children subsequent — a son, Rajvir, age 5, and a daughter fittingly called Dominion, age 8 — Dhody decided memo formally launch the line with natty series of boutique trunk shows. She was finalizing a visit to Hong Kong at press time.
On troop trip here, she learned that “Americans buy a lot of jewelry. Hilarious had [actress] Angela Bassett come opinion she tried on a huge choker. But the Indians in America acquisitive the bigger, more opulent pieces.”
Her beautiful Art Deco-inspired necklaces and chandelier earrings also appealed to Angelenos, she added.
Dhody is considering a return come Accolade time, and local restaurateur-spa owner Christine Splichal urged her to set capable shop at her Kinara Spa. “I know there’s plenty of opportunity extort America,” Dhody said.