Love femininity of Pakistani clothes: Farah Khan Ali

Indian jewellery designer talks about jewels in the crown of her career

LAHORE:

Be it at the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, Filmfare or IIFA, Farah Khan Ali’s Fine Jewellery has been flaunted on every other runway. From Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to Priyanka Chopra, a bevy of Bollywood beauties has donned her designs. Touted as one of the best known jewellery designers for Bollywood, she grew up in a world brimming with glitz and glamour. Sister of actor Zayed Khan, and Suzanne Khan, who was formerly married to Hrithik Roshan, and daughter of producer-director-actor Sanjay Khan, she has seen the industry up close.

She saw Bollywood as a medium to approach a much broader audience, which includes the likes of Beyoncé, who sparkled in a Swarovski crystal-studded crown designed by Farah for the artwork of her album 4. But she hasn’t rested on her laurels. She feels her association with Bollywood just helped open doors for her and cites her hard work as what makes people come back to her brand.

Farah’s jewellery epitomises her flamboyant persona. She creates visions of a paradise through her pieces, where butterflies and dragonflies bring good luck, and roses have no thorns. Her signature style boasts motifs such as tigers, snakes and flowers. Farah tells us all about the jewels in the crown of her career.

What’s the creative inspiration behind your collection?

I am inspired through the process of life and my experiences. Whenever I have come across anything that captivates my senses, be it natural or man-made, I am spurred to translate that idea into a three-dimensional object of beauty, one that will outlive its wearer and become more precious with time. I like playing with colour in gemstones and I think that’s where my forte lies. I am always inspired by the beautiful rich heritage of the Mughal Rajput era in Indian History and rich ornate motifs, which are the greatest source of my inspiration in design.



How would you describe the Fine Jewellery woman and who’d you like to see wearing your jewellery?

I design jewellery for the woman who loves herself and loves celebrating her life. She is real and she is confident. She multitasks effortlessly between being a mother and a career woman. The Farah Khan woman is a woman who is comfortable in her own skin.

I would love to see Angelina Jolie, Queen Rania of Jordan and Malala Yousafzai wearing my jewellery because all these women are strong, caring personalities who care enough for the world to make a difference and don’t need to wear jewellery to define them but define the jewellery they wear.

What fascinates you about Pakistan?

I have visited Pakistan once with my husband in 2004. I was very happy to meet many people who are now my friends for years. I loved the warmth and the hospitality shown to me in Pakistan and loved the sense of style in Pakistani fashion. I pray that the political problems between Pakistan and India end because there are both good and bad people on both sides and one must not judge all the people by the acts of a few.

Asin and Farah strike a pose

What sets India’s sense of style apart from Pakistan?

Indian fashion is more colourful as compared to Pakistani fashion, which is ornate. Both are highly fashionable and there are wonderful designers on both sides of the border. I am constantly fascinated by the cuts, colours and fashion these designers churn out season after season, contemporising classic designs and making them prêt-a-porter. I love the way both the Indian and Pakistani brides dress. There is uniqueness and femininity in our traditional wear. The Indian bride ranges from the North to the South so there is more variety in our wedding wear. But the Northern Indian bride dresses similarly to the Pakistani bride and both look beautiful.

Do you follow any Pakistani trends? Have you watched any Pakistani movies or dramas?

I don’t watch too many movies or TV, so I haven’t watched any Pakistani TV serials or films. I love wearing Pakistani suits, such as shalwar kameez and kurtis, and love the femininity and fall of the fabrics. I have been wearing Libas from a long time now, and Sehyr Saigol and Sabene Saigol are family friends. I also love Shehla Chatoor and think her clothes are very feminine and fashionable.



Which Bollywood celebrity do you think does justice to your jewellery?

I have been fortunate to have almost everyone in Bollywood wear my jewels from Madhuri Dixit to Deepika Padukone to Kareena Kapoor Khan to Sonam Kapoor to Kangana Ranaut. I have also had international celebrities, such as tennis star Serena Williams and actors Joan Rivers and Elisabeth Röhm, don my creations The list is endless. To say who does justice to my pieces would be inappropriate as each of them has carried them off with great style and panache.

Do you design with Bollywood and the international market in mind?

When I design, I don’t think of Bollywood but I think of my clients at large. Their lifestyles and cultures are my inspiration in design because all design is generated through the social cultures of people. Celebrities only help showcase them.



What does the future hold for your brand and jewellery at large?

I think the future of Fine jewellery just got more adventurous. People are done with the traditional designs and are looking for more adventure in design. They want pieces that are show-stoppers, yet can be worn more often than only as wedding jewellery. They want the jewellery they wear to define their individualities.

The designers will have to constantly challenge themselves and come up with new and innovative designs as, with the dominance of the internet, the world has become one big design house. So unless you create something fabulous, you will be lost. I also think people in general are beginning to understand the value of precious coloured gemstones in comparison with diamonds. Customers now realise that a good quality ruby, emerald or sapphire can be more expensive than even a diamond, as a precious coloured gemstone is rarer because of its colour and lustre. More people are buying coloured gemstones now as opposed to gold and diamonds.

 Film-making or acting in films never appealed to you?

My father never encouraged any of his daughters to look at films. He always insisted that we study and wanted the world to be our playground. He would always say education is the greatest asset and that it will open many doors for us one day. He was right because we were lucky to get exposure to the world and not just films, which helped me in evolving as a creative person. Looking back, I don’t know if I would have made a great actor because by nature, I’m an open book and can’t act to save my life.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2016.

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