Glowing, undoubtedly, from all the rave reviews her film Bobby Jasoos has garnered over the past few weeks, actress and producer Dia Mirza looked resplendent on the ramp at the ongoing IIJW (India International Jewellery Week) in Mumbai.
Off the ramp of course, the main topic interest was her upcoming wedding to long time beau, Sahil Sangha.
Team MissMalini got Dia to reveal the details of her bridal trousseau and here’s what she told us in an exclusive chat:
Team MissMalini (Team MM): What makes the jewellery which you modelled today on the ramp at IIJW, special and different?
Dia Mirza (DM): I think it’s all about the lady behind the label, Shobha. I have been fortunate to wear a lot of exquisite jewellery throughout my career as a model and as an actress and of course, all of it has been beautiful. But I always feel the association becomes special when the people involved with the craftsmanship are interesting people on a personal level.
What’s fascinating is that Shobha is an elderly lady, who is well into her golden years. She started off young and the best part is that she doesn’t come from a family with a jewellery background. She has really built the brand with her own efforts and hard work.
When she approached me to walk the ramp for her, I was taken in by her simplicity and her genuine personality. I think it’s cool that with so many new and young designers showing off their designs at IIJW, here is a lady who is well into her sixties and is as excited as the young ones to show off her designs on the ramp.
Team MM: What is your personal taste in jewellery like?
DM: It depends on what the occasion is or what the attire is that I’m wearing. I’ve realized that I gravitate towords classic jewelry. I love antique designs. In fact, I’m particularly fond of Mughal style jewelry. I’m not too fond of contemporary styles. I usually gravitate towards jewelry that has a classic, old-world style and element about it.
Team MM: Do you own any pieces that are family heirlooms and were handed down to you by your mother or grandmother?
DM: My mother has given me a bangle, which she had bought with her very first salary. It’s a thin bangle encrusted with Basra pearls. It’s very precious because I know how important and significant jewelry can be in a woman’s life.
I remember, when I was a young teenager, she was very upset because most of her jewelry had been robbed. Much of what was taken was inherited from her mother and mother-in-law. But she was more upset about the fact that she would have nothing to give me when it was time for me to get married.
I remember telling her, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll make my own money and buy my own jewellery”.
I’ve never regretted not having khandani jewelry and I’m very happy with what I’ve been able to put together for myself, over the years, with the money that I’ve earned. And I think my mother really appreciates that.
I hope that when (and if) I have a daughter, she does the same.
Team MM: Have you put together the jewelry for your up-coming wedding to Sahil Sangha?
DM: Ritu Kumar has designed my wedding outfit and Anita Dongre will also be designing an outfit for one of the other functions. But over the years, I have slowly collected some nice pieces of jewelry and I’m sure I will use only those. I don’t think it will be very necessary for me to go wedding jewelry shopping.
I have not worn a lot of the pieces because somewhere at the back of my mind, I would buy them knowing that I would wear them only when I get married.
Team MM: Which historical pieces of jewelry would you like to own?
DM: The Nizam of Hyderabad’s collection, for sure! It’s interesting that a number of pieces from the collection have a very Victorian influence. So even though it has that whole Mughal, Muslim feel to it, there is a marked European, Victorian style element. Every single piece is fascinating as it takes your breath away.
Pix: Viral Bhayani for MissMalini