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Everything that glitters
“The art of designing jewellery is a craft learnt through years of practical experience,” says Shireen Khan who, in her younger days, would design artificial jewellery pieces by breaking them down and reassembling them. “At the time, taking it up as a profession never really occurred to me,” she adds.
Shireen started crafting jewellery pieces almost 14 years ago — a move not initially supported by her husband. But with her exhibitions getting increasingly appreciated, her husband was convinced that he should not stifle her budding talent. Initially, she worked from home because being a bureaucrat’s wife did not allow her to open a proper outlet. But after his death, Shireen got herself registered with the Export Promotion Bureau and took to jewellery designing on a more serious note.
Today, hers is a popular name not only in Islamabad but all over Pakistan and even abroad, and one known for exquisite collection of trendy and traditional pieces. Presently, she says that her pieces are one-of-a-kind as she doesn’t make multiple copies: “It is human psyche to go for something unusual and exclusive rather than common; it boosts one’s ego,” she says philosophically.
Asked whether it is true that she is the only jewellery designer in Pakistan, she shakes her head: “No, I wouldn’t call myself the only one in Pakistan. Rather, I am the only jewellery designer making one-piece jewellery. I am of the view that a designer item should be exclusive. I pride myself for never repeating a design in order to ensure exclusivity and modernity.”
With a combination of traditional and modern designs, Shireen’s unique and wearable jewellery comes in 22-carat gold in bright, bold colours, embedded with precious and semi-precious stones that give it a distinct style. ‘I cater to all classes, keeping individual clients’ affordability in mind. I can design a presentable piece in one tola gold if need be,’ she says
With a combination of traditional and modern designs, Shireen’s unique and wearable jewellery comes in 22-carat gold in bright, bold colours, embedded with precious and semi-precious stones that give it a distinct style. “I cater to all classes, keeping individual clients’ affordability in mind. I can design a presentable piece in one tola gold if the need be.” She says that the durability, beauty and value of jewellery rises with the amount of gold it contains; but using 22-carat gold requires hard work, labour and effort, as opposed to the jewellery containing lower gold carat content. “But eventually, it still looks very pretty,” she adds.
Shireen’s light weight, trendy and colourful jewellery with precious and semi-precious stones comprises sets in feroza, kundan, topaz, amethyst, mother of pearl, rice pearls, tourmaline and jade among others. Stone jewellery is often under-appreciated due to its reduced resale value, but Shireen’s experience has made her believe that it is equally liked. “If the client feels that it is an unusual piece, its value increases twofold. When you sell any piece of jewellery, t is reduced by 20 per cent anyway, so my pieces are no different,” she says.She talks about Pakistani womens’ preferences as far as diamonds are concerned: “Diamond is in vogue in Pakistan, especially among the upper economic circle as it is a symbol of class. But ever since zirconium has made its way into the market, I look at it as a classy equivalent to the diamond. People label it as imitation, but I think it can still fulfill the desire of wearing diamonds. It is wearable and one does not need to invest too much in it.”
With over 14 years of experience in the field and having exported to the western market as well, Shireen has been exhibiting her creations regularly in different cities of Pakistan. Recently, she opened her first outlet in Islamabad, displaying all her designs conveniently under one roof. She says that while it was convenient to sell from home, now her clients can reach her easily “instead of waiting for months.”
After her first outlet, she now plans to expand to Karachi and Lahore as well. “This field is growing and it is important to keep up. I believe the more you work hard, the better the results. I am appreciated and my journey as a jewellery designer has been great. I also recently exhibited in New York and Chicago where Indians have a strong hold, but still my designs stood out. I managed to get a franchise in Chicago as well,” says Shireen ecstatically.
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