Rhea Nasta was always passionate about designing her own jewellery but little did she know that this hobby would help her go places – literally! Today Rhea is one of the most celebrated jewellery designers in the country with some of the most elite clientele on her list. In a chat with Asian Age Rhea, whose Kamasutra collection at the IIJW was one of the most talked about themes, speaks about her work and what inspires her.
Not an easy profession for women:
When I entered this profession I discovered that it was male-dominated. It wasn’t easy for me to convince the karigars (craftsmen) to let me work with them. I still remember how they would feel awkward every time I entered the shed. I had to prove to them that my ideas do sell, and only then did they start letting me bring about changes.
Professional training:
There are a lot of youngsters who want to enter this field. But learning from a professional makes all the difference.
Out of the box ideas:
I am extremely intrigued by history, and some of my collections have been based on the theme ‘The Lost Age’. I did a detailed study on European history and I was surprised to see the similarities between their jewellery and ours in India. The Kamasutra theme came about because I wanted to depict the beauty of the subject through my jewellery. The single-studded shoe, which was called the Cindrella slipper, ended up being sold at an auction.
Inspirations:
Nature, history and trends — almost everything inspires me. Even interacting with youngsters when I conduct classes on jewellery designing is an inspiration.
USP:
I make sure not to repeat any of my designs. This ensures that there’s an element of freshness in every piece.
Passion, a must:
This field is such that one cannot slack off. But the competition and passion is what keeps me on my toes all the time.