It’s undeniable that the art of ornamentation is an indelible part of Indian identity, culture and history. It is documented that the peoples of ancient civilisations such as the Indus Valley and the Maurya Empire were adorned in jewellery and the significance of precious metals and gemstones remain in the society today. Chandbalis and nath are often seen on women’s ears, with bracelets and haathphool being typical accessories. But far from just “zhuzhing” up attire, embellishments in India play a defining role in many religious and ceremonial activities, with brides donning neckpieces like rani haar, gulbandh and satladha, for example. So when the founder and creative director of Misho, Suhani Parekh, first began to foray into the world of jewellery production—bringing art with a capital A into artisan thanks to her background in sculpture—there was an initial hesitation from Indian consumers who conventionally index on materials (such as gold and exquisite stones) over investment in design. Parekh was faced with the question, “who would wear this?”
Well, as it turns out, a number of people, and a few individuals you may have heard of. Taylor Swift donned the ‘Pala Bangles’ for her Karma music video, Jennifer Lopez wore Misho ‘Sirena Hoops’ for her birthday celebration, and Kendall Jenner has been seen courtside countless times in Misho ‘Mini Flow’ earrings. Dua Lipa, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor Abuja, Deepika Padukone and Lady Gaga are just some of the many notable names who’ve been furnished in Misho. Parekh’s compositional and engineered designs have also been appreciated and picked up by editorial teams, stylists and fashion enthusiasts in a number of different markets. After training to be a sculptor at Goldsmiths, University of London, Parekh dabbled in interior design at the famed architecture firm Ashiesh Shah. However, by 2016, she was ready to put the plinth and project planning behind her, launching Misho, a contemporary jewellery line with a nonconformist flair. Her first stockist? None other than Selfridges.
These days, Parekh continues to split her time between Mumbai and London. Ahead of her first official trunk show on the island, Vogue Singapore caught up with the Indian-British designer on her journey and creative process.
Suhani, where did the name ‘Misho’ come from? And why did you decide not to go down the eponymous route?
I find a lot of inspiration in Japanese art and philosophy, so naturally the language comes into play. Misho is a term for cultivating seeds into an evergreen bonsai tree, so I liked the poetic connection of how a seed or an idea can turn into something beautiful and tangible. And I loved the connection with the way bonsai trees are viewed as art in themselves. As much as it could have been a namesake label, I want Misho to become a design studio that goes beyond myself.
How do consumer tastes differ between Mumbai versus London? How was your collection initially received in both markets?
Each market has its own preferences, seasons and culture contribute a lot to this as well. While both markets were quick to take up our collections, I would say London has a more eclectic and experimental style, meanwhile Mumbai loves the statement bold pieces for occasions, and our mini hoops and daily pieces work very well for everyday Mumbai living.
How is the appetite for your jewellery here in Singapore?
Well, we recently had our first trunk show in Singapore, and there was definitely a palatable excitement that Misho came to town! We are known for our more sculptural and statement pieces, and I think that is something new for the jewellery scene here, which is a really exciting opportunity that we would love to explore. The women in Singapore are so chic with such great personal taste—it was a pleasure to see how some of our favourites and classics were styled.
Can you tell us the classic anecdote about which celebrity wore your jewellery first and how that came to be? What was your reaction when you heard about it?
One of the most memorable stories was early on in Misho’s story. We had gained a little bit of a following, and so a stylist reached out to us to pull some pieces. All they told me was that it was for Vogue Arabia, which I was obviously excited about, but when the article came out, our hoops were on Rihanna. I think it was the first time when a global celebrity wore our pieces and in such an iconic publication as well. I was floored. And then my next reaction was, okay so who’s next?
Were you surprised by just how much the fashion community championed you?
I would say that I felt more honoured than surprised. I initially designed my pieces for myself, and people would compliment what I was wearing, so Misho started from there. In summary, I had faith in my work and design, and I’m happy that the fashion community feels the same. Now that we have the space, it motivates me to push Misho as far as I can.
You created ‘Pebble Pods’—a first-of-its-kind jewellery for embellishing Apple AirPods. As someone who is at the forefront of innovation in this space, what would you say is the biggest trend you’re seeing in jewellery right now?
I try to push the boundaries of design as much as possible—I think our greatest strength is that we design jewellery as sculpture. As for trends I’m seeing right now, I think bold statement pieces, especially cuffs, are making a comeback. Which I’m obviously a huge fan of!
You have a balanced mix of everyday, wearable options and more costume, high impact items. What are some adjectives you would use to describe the Misho customer?
I would say chic, elegant, bold and classic. The great thing about our collections is that there is something for everyone—the pieces are very versatile and easy to style.
Our customers and the women in my life play muse for me. Consequently, the pieces themselves are very much a reflection of who these women are. It’s a perfect match.
Talk us through your sculptural silversmithing techniques…
Our techniques in jewellery-making take inspiration from a variety of crafting techniques. The silver tradition in India dates back centuries; from the art of pulling metal wire to lost wax casting. I love exploring these techniques from the past and mixing them with a contemporary aesthetic.
Many Misho items are 22k gold plated or rhodium plated. How can we avoid our pieces tarnishing, especially in more harsh, humid climates like Singapore?
I would say that cleaning your pieces regularly can do a lot more protecting than you might realise. A quick wipe with a cleaning cloth after wearing your pieces for the day, especially in more humid climates like Singapore, really helps. Additionally, make sure to take pieces off when you’re in the shower, washing your hands, spraying perfume, using products etc. A fun fact that not many people know is that the best way to keep your pieces tarnish-free is to wear them. The oils in our skin for instance help prevent tarnish from building up.
You became a mother 9 months ago. Congratulations! Has this big life change made any impact on your design ethos?
Thank you! Seeing my baby grow so much in the last 9 months has been incredibly inspiring. In terms of design, I find my greatest inspiration is the women around me, and having a daughter, well she is now my greatest inspiration of all. Watching my child start from square one, I feel like I am seeing life from the beginning again, and it’s given me an entirely new perspective on life—which I’m sure will find its way into our collections.
Why is making a statement with your jewellery important to you?
The beauty of Misho is that we are a design studio, who happens to make jewellery today. I want Misho’s jewellery to carry the philosophy of the meaning of the word itself—it’s evergreen, it’s timeless. The greatest compliment I hear is that someone saw a jewellery piece and knew it had to be Misho, so with that you need to make an impact whether it’s the unique design of a mini hoop, or a loud and bold statement choker.
