In the lap of luxury
Jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali talks about the agonies and ecstasies of living the high life
A stylish swan and a high society priestess, Farah Khan Ali admits that she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
Having said that, daughter of director-producer Sanjay Khan and wife Zarine, Farah is thankful that she had a balanced upbringing. Not one that was overshadowed by the power of glamour and flashlights.
“People often ask me why I did not get into films. For me, it was never an obvious choice. Though my father was into it, my childhood did not revolve around studios and film sets like most other Bollywood children,” she says.
After trying her hand at ad films, interior design and production, Farah chose gemology for a career. And like most good things in life, it happened by chance. “My friend said she was going to LA for a course in gemology. I looked at it as an opportunity to explore a new life and hopped on to the plane,” she says. Farah confesses that more than the course, it is the beach, sand and the party whirl of America’s glamour capital that lured her towards its shores. But Farah has since, earned a name for herself in the field and runs a successful jewellery line called Farah Khan since 2004.
Talking about her work she says, “I like to define my jewellery as being universal. It’s something that I want my clients to hand down from generation to generation. I am not here for the money. I am here to create something beautiful and timeless,” she says.
Having worked closely with film stars and other celebrities for work and otherwise, Farah is tired of the flashiness people associate with stardom and success. “I believe less is more. Very often when a person wearing bling enters my store, I know the person is trying to hard. Or ‘all flash, no cash’ as we have begun to call it. True style lies in one’s attitude. You could wear the most unflattering clothes and feel like a princess if you want to,” she says.
While being among the glitterati has its share of fun and fare, it can be a nuisance, believes Farah. Citing a recent example she says, “When SRK slapped Shirish Kunder (director Farah Khan’s husband) at a party, I was flooded with calls from the media asking for a reaction. I can’t believe someone would goof up so much!” she laughs.
Married to one of the country’s most successful DJs, Aqeel, and blessed with two beautiful children, family comes first for Farah. “My husband’s a night person and I am a complete day person, so we take off for a vacation whenever we can. I love passing off to my children, the values I was brought up with,” she adds. And if there’s one thought she likes to leave her children with, it is “I have seen the rich squander away their legacy and have seen the poor man make history. Carve your own destiny.”
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