Indian jewelry is more than just accessories; it’s a beautiful reflection of heritage, tradition, and timeless beauty that’s deeply woven into Indian culture. For centuries, from ancient times to today, the charm of Indian jewelry has captured hearts all over the world. And, in the dazzling world of fashion and glamor, it has carved out a special place that is both timeless and stunning.
Indeed, Indian Jewelry Online trends have often drawn inspiration from Bollywood cinema. Bollywood has played a key role in shaping Indian jewelry fashion, and by adorning these mesmerizing pieces, it has also established a significant global impact.
The Cultural Significance of Indian Jewellery
Jewelry has always been linked to wealth, prosperity, and social status around the world. The quality and quantity of jewelry someone owns often show their affluence and position in the community. But in Indian society, jewelry means much more than just wealth and prosperity.
For Indians, jewelry has deep cultural and religious significance. Many pieces are rich in symbolism and carry sacred meanings. For example, the mangalsutra, a necklace worn by married Hindu women, signifies marital status and represents the bond between husband and wife.
There are many other types of jewelry that are important in Indian culture and traditions. They play a big role in various ceremonies and celebrations, like weddings, cultural festivals, and religious rituals. Additionally, jewelry is often passed down through generations, representing family heritage and traditions.
Bollywood’s Love Affair with Jewellery
Bollywood actresses have been instrumental in showcasing the grandeur of Indian jewelry. Icons like Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt have donned traditional pieces at international events, drawing global attention. Their appearances in movies and at red carpet events have highlighted the versatility and timeless appeal of Indian jewelry, making it a favorite among fashion enthusiasts.
The red carpet is where fashion meets glamor, and Indian jewelry has made a significant impact in this space. In fact, several pieces have become iconic due to their red carpet appearances.
Cannes Film Festival
Every spring, the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival lights up the resort town’s famous Croisette. Over the years, it has seen some amazing jewelry moments. Huge diamonds and precious gems are a big part of the event, sparkling on film stars’ necks and wrists.
Deepika Padukone’s Maharani Necklace
At the 75th Cannes Festival, 2022, Bollywood star Deepika Padukone dazzled on the red carpet with a deconstructed Maharani Necklace, exuding elegance. During the jury photo op, she wore stylish clothing and high jewelry from Sabyasachi’s ‘Tropic of Calcutta’ collection, which modernizes Indian heritage.
Deepika looked stunning in a printed Mysore silk shirt with a digital version of hand-painted vintage flowers, paired with pleated wool trousers. She completed the look with the Lucknowi Rose, a deconstructed Maharani necklace featuring precious multicolored gemstones and uncut diamonds, and the Bengal trophy belt from Sabyasachi’s accessories collection.
Met Gala
India’s presence at the Met Gala has grown over the years, with many celebrities from the country and its diaspora attending in stunning outfits. This year’s theme was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” and the dress code was “The Garden of Time.”
Alia Bhatt’ Jewelry
Alia Bhatt made a stunning second appearance at the Met Gala 2024, wearing a beautifully handcrafted sari and a gem-studded blouse. Her outfit, inspired by a mythical forest nymph, combined glamor and theme perfectly.
Designed by Sabyasachi, the look was enhanced with accessories from the Bengal Royal Collection. Two necklaces were creatively used as headbands, echoing the traditional maang tikka, and the earrings were adorned with large stones. Another highlight were the multiple rings that added to the maximalist vibe, a signature style of Sabyasachi.
Global Inspiration
The influence of Bollywood and its jewelry tradition has transcended borders, finding a new stage on the global red carpet. Hollywood celebrities and international jewelry brands have embraced Indian jewelry, recognizing its unique blend of elegance and artistry. This cross-cultural exchange has resulted in a fusion of styles that celebrates diversity and creativity.
Cardi B’s gigantic necklace for the Met Gala 2024
Cardi B gave “Garden Of Time” a whole new meaning at the Met Gala 2024. For her fifth appearance at the gala, the American rapper wowed everyone in an all-black outfit.
The Garden of Time dress code was perfectly matched with a stunning diamond necklace featuring a 141-carat Colombian emerald from the Indian jewelry house Kamyen. To complete her stunning look, Cardi B wore striking earrings with both emeralds and diamonds, featuring cascading yellow and white mini-briolette cut diamonds.
Her hands sparkled with large emerald rings and a bangle bracelet adorned with even more emeralds and diamonds.
Kamyen Jewellery, founded in 2010 by Pooja Gandhi, is known for its unique designs featuring large gemstones, especially yellow and pink diamonds. Pooja comes from a family of diamantaires, and her brand has gained international fame, especially with Cardi B’s stunning appearance at the Met Gala.
Kamyen operates worldwide and you can see their beautiful designs at top exhibitions like the Doha Watch and Jewellery Expo and the Bahrain Jewellery Arabia. Thanks to Cardi B, Kamyen Jewellery is now shining even brighter on the global stage.
India Inspires Global Designers
India’s rich culture and art have been a treasure trove for many top international jewelry brands. This trend is growing as designers put a modern twist on traditional designs. Boucheron‘s Creative Director Claire Choisne brought back a significant piece of the brand’s history for their 2022 collection, New Maharajahs – beautifully set with emeralds, diamonds, rock crystal, platinum, and white gold.
The collection features beautiful elements like lotus motifs, turban ornaments, and wedding bracelets, along with the traditional Indian art of glyptics, which involves engraving on gemstones.
Most of the collection is made with diamonds and rock crystals, except for a standout multi-functional necklace with nine cushion-cut Colombian emeralds. While the designs have been scaled down, they still exude a sense of grandness.
India’s architecture, miniature paintings, natural landscapes, and heritage jewels inspired major jewelry houses like Cartier and Boucheron in the 1900s, and they continue to influence designs even today. Some of the world’s most treasured pieces combine Western styles with Indian patterns and motifs. So, what draws international designers to India?
Indian Heritage
Noëlle Viguurs-van Gelder of Van Gelder Indian Jewellery considers India the most beautiful country in the world, just like her mother, Bernadette van Gelder–van der Ven, who founded the brand. For the past 40 years, they have been selling heritage Indian jewels in the Netherlands.
When the daughters, Fleur Damman-van Gelder and Noëlle Viguurs-van Gelder, took over, they wanted to bring something new to the business. Since 2019, they have been creating contemporary jewelry inspired by both old and new India, their travels in the country (they make business trips every year), and their experience growing up around heritage Indian jewels.
Salutations to the Lotus
Italian designer brand Pasquale Bruni draws inspiration from spiritual elements for their Lakshmi collection, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi’s favorite flower, the lotus. The collection features plain gold and gem-studded variations of lotus petals arranged into beautiful necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
The brand channels the Goddess’s virtues of light, wisdom, and abundance through their jewelry. Some pieces are adorned with pink chalcedony, moonstone, and diamonds, while others shine with the powerful allure of 18-karat gold.
Conclusion
Indian jewelry weaves together history, tradition, and contemporary allure, captivating hearts around the globe with its timeless elegance. The influence of Indian jewelry on red carpet fashion is undeniable. Its intricate designs, cultural significance, and timeless elegance have captivated the hearts of celebrities and fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
From Bollywood beauties to global icons, Indian jewelry has transcended borders, adding a touch of opulence and sophistication to red carpet looks. As this trend continues to evolve, it is clear that the allure of Indian adornments will remain a significant force in the world of fashion, inspiring new generations to embrace the beauty and heritage of this timeless art form.
In fact, most of the international jewels inspired from India aren’t specifically aimed at an Indian audience or the Indian diaspora. Instead, it’s heartening to see that there is a global audience that cherishes India-inspired jewelry. People from all over the world are captivated by the rich heritage and intricate designs of Indian jewelry, and they want to own a piece of the beauty and culture that India represents. This global appreciation shows how India’s artistry and traditions have universal appeal, bringing a touch of Indian elegance to jewelry lovers everywhere.
