Images

Real jewels give you the confidence artificial gems can't: designer Shafaq Habib

Real jewels give you the confidence artificial gems can't: designer Shafaq Habib

The Lahore-based jewellery designer says heavy sets with tikas and jhoomars are all the rage
Updated 19 Sep, 2015

There's never really an off-period for jewellery buying, but it does reach a feverish peak when Eid coincides with the ongoing shaadi season.

Lahore's Shafaq Habib, who has revolutionised gold and diamond jewellery by introducing semi-precious stones of unusual colours, shapes and sizes in the equation, is always a hot seller. Her exhibition in Karachi this Sunday-Monday at Pearl Continental's Hina Hall is a must-attend for those wishing to upgrade their jewellery collection.

Images: Tell us about the collections you've brought to Karachi this time?

Shafaq Habib: I've brought my existing bridal collection, but the statement pieces are all new. There are earrings, bracelets, and pendant sets. They are in high demand, since Eid is around the corner.

Shafaq Habib fuses 22 carat gold with diamonds and semi-precious stones - Publicity photos
Shafaq Habib fuses 22 carat gold with diamonds and semi-precious stones - Publicity photos

Images: A lot of your work is inspired by your travels. Which part of the world has influenced your collections this time?

SH: Yes, I have time to think when I travel. I can absorb the environment of a place, which can help me devise a colour scheme, for example. One of my pieces is inspired by Turkey, another by my trip to France.

Bracelets by Shafaq Habib - Publicity photos
Bracelets by Shafaq Habib - Publicity photos

Images: What trends can you foresee for the upcoming bridal season?

SH: I think people are now going for heavier pieces. They want the jhoomar, the tika, a big necklace set, the works.

Shafaq Habib's bridal sets - Publicity photos
Shafaq Habib's bridal sets - Publicity photos

Images: How is your Karachi clientele different from the one in your homebase, Lahore?

SH: I love Karachiites. They are so much more focused in their buying. Lahore is a rat race, where they try to buy everything, but Karachiites get the piece they really want. They like pearls, and semi-precious stones, and polki is a hit everywhere. All of my statement pieces have polki.

Shafaq Habib's jewellery for simpler occasions - Publicity photos
Shafaq Habib's jewellery for simpler occasions - Publicity photos

Images: Have you considered maintaining a permanent stock in Karachi, instead of exhibitions?

SH: I've been exhibiting my jewellery for 25 years. I used to have a store within PFDC at Park Towers, but that closed down. The city's halaat were bad a few years ago, so I had stopped doing exhibitions as well for a while. Now conditions have improved.

Images: Do you have a favourite piece or two from the collection?

SH: There's a statement piece with emerald and polki that I really like, and another with pearl and polki.

Images: Is there anything else you'd like to tell your buyers?

SH: We work with 22 carat gold and real stones, and we don't believe in costume jewellery at all. If you don't have the budget for it, my advice would be to get fewer or smaller pieces , but get the real thing. It gives you the kind of confidence which artificial jewellery can not. It's long-lasting, and can be passed down to future generations, unlike costume jewellery that will break and the stones will fade.

Comments

Steve Singh Sep 19, 2015 05:28pm
How could jewellery give you confidence
Recommend (0)
Observer Sep 19, 2015 06:13pm
it's all in mind.
Recommend (0)
Syed Mumtazuddin Ahmed Sep 19, 2015 07:18pm
If you take Shafaq Habib's rationale to its logical conclusion, there must be a serious lack of confidence and/or self esteem among those who wear "real jewels". I don't think that is necessarily true and by the same token would also plead that those who are satisfied with artificial or costume jewellery or wearable art pieces perhaps have confidence enough to wear whatever they like. And especially in a country with rampant corruption where half the country lives below the poverty line and with the price of Gold above US$1100 an ounce "heavy sets with tikkas and jhoomars" may be all the rage but is the money changing hand at the till corruption free. The media talks a lot about Conflict-Diamonds and other Gems but overlooks money derived from illicit means.
Recommend (0)
TKHAN Sep 19, 2015 08:16pm
I’ve been married for thirty years and buying diamonds for the same woman – and I’m still in love with her.
Recommend (0)
DB Sep 19, 2015 10:02pm
I have a few expensive pieces and they don't instill confidence, I spend time worried about losing it. I much prefer sterling silver. It's less expensive and more durable than gold. I also appreciate vintage costume pieces. I inherited some fabulous 1920s jewelry and always get compliments when I wear it. Goes to prove that costume jewelry can be passed down for generations.
Recommend (0)
Shaista Sep 20, 2015 05:50pm
@Steve Singh just like nice shoes and clothes make one feel good?
Recommend (0)