New Delhi, June 30 (IANS) Jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali is on cloud nine after international singer Beyonce Knowles chose to sport one of her crowns for a new music album. But the Mumbai-based designer laments that Indian celebrities don’t value domestic designers much.
‘Indian celebrities don’t understand the value of Indian designers unless international media gives them the prominence. This perspective needs to change because we have a lot of talent here,’ Farah told IANS.
‘We just have to look and explore the Indian culture as international celebrities are looking at us for style and trend. I have to say that the grass is always greener on the other side and that’s why Indian celebs go international way and vice-versa,’ she added.
Farah, daughter of veteran actor Sanjay Khan, hopes the situation will improve over the years and Indian celebrities will begin sporting creations by local designers.
‘It’s the perfect time for Indian celebrities to look domestically than internationally because India today is a huge market to reckon with. Whether it’s fashion, jewellery or economy… it’s one of the nations that survived the recession and is doing very well. We have one billion people supporting us, so I wish celebrities should look here instead of going out,’ she said.
For now, she is quite proud that Beyonce chose a crown designed by her for the artwork of her latest album ‘4’, which released Wednesday.
Describing the ornate design, Farah said: ‘The piece was designed in 2008 for the Runway Rocks Show in London. It is made of Swarovski crystals in the colour of citrin and has orange, yellow and brown stones. The crown is made of over 500 stones with pearls to match.’
She also explained how the beauty of the crown matches the aura of the singer, who is popular for songs like ‘Crazy in love’ and ‘Survivor’.
‘The crown is inspired by a goddess and is the celebration of femininity. Beyonce is adored for her beauty and talent and her wearing the crown brings a true sense of pride for me. I feel that she did complete justice to the piece,’ she added.
Beyonce is not the first international celebrity to sport the designer’s creation.
‘(Tennis player) Serena Williams wore a piece of jewellery I sent her in February this year,’ said Farah, who also catered to music composer A.R. Rahman’s wife Saira Rahman for the 2011 Oscar ceremony.
Indian designers like Shane and Falguni Peacock, Manish Arora and Ritu Kumar have made a mark among international celebrities in the past. Designs by Indian jewellery store Amrapali too are extremely popular.
Farah points out that it is the uniqueness in Indian designs that has attracted international clientele.
‘India is a vast treasure trove of talent. It’s only now that people are noticing it. I think all the designers are actually venturing and competing with the Western, and not just Indian market. The kind of work we do with the jewellery and clothes is always different and one of its kind.’
