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Jewellery holds great meaning in South Asian culture. It’s an intimate form of self-expression and the expression of femininity. We associate jewellery with heritage and family as we learn about it through our mothers. Their signature styles etch themselves into our memories and become an affectionate symbol of love and beauty. Apart from its sentimental value, jewellery is also an embodiment of the cultural zeitgeist. Whether it’s Jaipur’s meenakari, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa’s fine filigree work in silver, or Delhi’s Kundan/setting of precious stones in gold, every design tells a different story of tradition and history of the region.
For the South Asian diaspora, pieces of jewellery have become souvenirs of identity and culture. Not unlike Anisha Parmar, the designer behind the eponymous label Anisha Parmar London. Anisha expresses her love for her South Asian culture and the British-Indian diaspora by creating jewellery that represents the same. Inspired by her own hybrid heritage that spans three continents, Anisha’s designs bring the concept of the heirloom into today. The beauty of the heirloom is that it gathers stories as it passes from hand to hand over generations, and that’s exactly what APL wants every piece to do. With each design, the brand takes fragments of stories from South Asian history, mythology and culture, and blends them with the experiences and influences that come with being part of the Diaspora.
As cultures blend and bend to reflect the modern world, we’re presented with the opportunity to write new stories; refreshing old fables with new perspectives, retelling ancient myths in a modern style, or reinvigorating forgotten moments with an injection of innovation. At the heart of it all, one thing remains constant: we believe in the power of wearing our culture and our stories in a way that will uplift and empower.
Anisha Parmar London
Every piece of jewellery at APL is a conduit for stories; especially stories of travel. Its 'Paradise' collection is Inspired by the intricate patterned windows and balconies in Goan architecture which is a mix of Portuguese and native Goan influence. ‘Pink City’ was created after the designer’s journey to Jaipur with motifs of Mor (peacock) and Haati (elephant) that can often be seen in Mughal art and Jaipur block printing. 'Mangoes & Marigolds' represent the nostalgia of the designer’s childhood as they remind her of her trips to India with her family. And ‘Cosmic Goddess’ encapsulates traditional Vedic motifs such as the Sun and the Moon combined with graphic patterns, earthy wood, marble and mirrored texture and bold colours.
South Asian artists like the poet/writer, Jaspreet Kaur and singer/songwriter/rapper, Raja Kumari, known for their culture-based artistic expressions have been seen wearing APL’s pieces which further enforces the intentions of the brand. Anisha Parmar has authentically built her legacy by paying a tribute to India, and simultaneously offering the diaspora a chance for self-discovery, empowerment and elegance rooted in cultural history.
Check out their collections here.
