By Preeta Agarwal
The fifth edition of India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) kicked off in Mumbai this August with a wow moment when Sonam Kapoor, brand ambassador for IIJW, walked the ramp in a royal blue gown and stunning diamond necklace by Nirav Modi, inaugurating the event in spectacular style.
While the heroes were the graduates from various jewellery colleges in India, who showcased the best of their imaginative creations, designers and brands enlisted Bollywood's best to showcase their jewels. From Sonam to Sonakshi to Sushmita, all sashayed down the ramp wearing some of the most impressive jewellery of the show. Sonakshi Sinha made a glamorous entrance wearing a delicate diamond necklace by Gitanjali Gems, with Bollywood heartthrob Akshaya Kumar beside her. Indian favourite Sushmita Sen, former Miss Universe, took to the ramp for Charu Jewels dressed in Indian bridal attire, complete with kundan polki necklaces and bangles.
Traditional bridal jewellery was a hot favourite at IIJW. Mahima Chaudhary was bedecked in bridal jewellery from her head to her fingertips for Shobha Shringar Jewellers, while Neha Dhupia sported an elaborate head ornament for Gitanjali Gems. Mugdha Godse walked the ramp for Apala Jewellery dressed an Indian mermaid and Amrita Rao showcased jewels by Agni Jewels, both of whom wore yellow gold jewellery with their striking red outfits.
Shabana Azmi and famous lyricist Javed Akhtar wooed the crowd when they closed the show for Mumbai's Golecha Jewels. Dressed like Indian royalty, Shabana Azmi wore a spectacular emerald, polki diamond and pearl necklace, while Javed Akhtar and Vijay Golecha adorned their outfits with one of the masterpieces from Golecha's huge collection of brooches for men. There was plenty of old world charm at Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas Jewellers. Sharmila Tagore got the show off to a graceful start, followed by folk singer Ila Arun and actress Kangna Ranaut, all wearing gorgeous Birdhichand jewels. Men's brooches emerged as an IIJW micro trend, with Vidyut Jamwal also stepping out in a brooch from Birdhichand's collection.
Traditional Indian jewellery paired with elegant dresses was a recurring trend on the ramp. Actress Chitrangada Singh accessorised her stunning red dress with a grand kundan polki necklace, earrings and bangles by Gehna Jewellers, while Evelyn Sharma, also dressed in red, stunned in traditional Gehna jewels. Karishma Kapoor looked enchanting in a black dress with diamond necklaces, earrings and bangles and ring from Kays Jewels.
Where most jewellers chose to show their elaborate wedding jewellery, Pallavi Foley highlighted her artistic flair by sending some interesting concept jewellery down the ramp, including a unique pair of earrings, as worn by the young and vivacious Alia Bhatt.
IIJW concluded with a breathtaking round by Sonam Kapoor for Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas Jewellers. Dressed in a sari, she wore some of the most elaborate traditional Indian jewellery of the show, including a multi-row emerald and kundan polki necklace with matching earrings, hair ornament, armlet, bracelet-cum-ring (hath phool) and bangle.
