In the final episode, I speak to British Asian jewellery industry professionals;
Jayant Raniga, CEO of Pure Jewels by Bhanji Gokaldas, who comes from over nine generations of jewellers. His Grandfather Bhanji Gokaldas and sons Ramnik, Dinesh and Harish established East London’s first British Asian jewellery showroom in 1975. In 1987 the family and store moved to Green Street where they have been located since. Their designs reflects the rich cultural heritage and brand journey, which traces its historic roots to India and east Africa. Jayant has been our 'gold expert' throughout this series where we hear his professional voice to provide context and history to some of our discussions.
I also speak to Shalini Gupta Patel, founder of Red Dot Jewels established in 2011. A UK based Indian luxury costume jewellery brand offering handcrafted Indian-inspired silver & semi precious jewellery where their concept is to provide UK women with an alternative to fine jewellery without compromising on style and design whilst at an affordable price.
We hear about both sides of the industry, the signature British Asian fine gold jewellery store as we know it, how its developed and morphed through generations in the family and how the tradition of building gold has developed. Contrastingly, the contemporary high end, luxury bridal costume jewellery side where today the over all aesthetic of a bride's look is deemed more important than the monetary value of her jewels.
You can really see how costume jewellery plays a part within this whole industry of British Asian jewellery and how diaspora brides are really focused on that overall look in recent years being that ultimate regal/royal look bride has become more and more popular and affordable thanks to luxury costume jewellers. And I think Red Dot Draws offers that in the best way possible. But like Jayant from PureJewels said, The same women, who are power independent women, making their own money, who are their own security are coming into his shop and buying everyday wearable pieces that they can cherish and love forever.
Both sides of the industry compliment and contrast each other, connecting the independent British Asian women of today to their root culture through traditional design and craftsmanship, within the ever evolving female reclamation South Asian patriarchal traditions where we women know exactly what we want and how to get it.
Read more about their stories and see photos of the jewellery here: https://www.anishaparmar.com/blogs/news/episode-10-the-british-asian-jewellery-industry
A huge thank you to my participants that have trusted me with their incredible stories, my co producer and Editor of the series Molly Crossley and to the Arts Council for giving me the time and funding to delve into something that’s so close to my heart. For more information about the project visit: www.anishaparmar.com/pages/empowered-adornment
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If you would like to get in touch or have a Gold Jewellery Story to share email me: hello@anishaparmar.com
Credits: Podcast Creator and Co Producer: Anisha Parmar Co Producer and Editor: Molly Crossley In this Story: Mathushaa and Tahmina
Music: Punjabi Beats by Ash Beat & Shahed | Chatterbox by Morethanthemind