All eyes on the queen bee

Bee's Knees Ornaments, which is musician Rila Banerjee's jewellery line for the mature Indian woman, is creating a buzz in retail circles

All eyes on the queen bee

Bee's Knees Ornaments, which is musician Rila Banerjee's jewellery line for the mature Indian woman, is creating a buzz in retail circles

This must sound like music to Kolkata-based Rila Banerjee's ears. Much like the meaning of the quirky phrase she borrowed to coin her jewellery brand, Bee's Knees Ornaments, is creating wonderfully unconventional, almost whimsical designs. Rila is the first to admit that this was never intended to be profitable (even less a business) venture. Unsurprisingly then, it has caught the roving eye of experimental retailers and curious customers.

Source the honey
Rila began creating these pieces to add spunk to her own stage act (she and her husband are musicians in a band called Plan B) when she realised the unavailability of the chunky style of ornamentation she admired. The ball was set into motion. Friends noticed the unmistakably unique craft of these pieces, which seemed to add a personal touch to any outfit. Soon, they expressed a desire for their own colourful pieces. Rila was more than happy to oblige with creations for personal requests but once tongues began to wag, the progression to a small business was inevitable. She never creates the same design twice, so if you're a believer in fashion exclusivity her creations make perfect sense. Rila believes this helps challenge herself and create a real value product for loyal customers. She sticks to these principles by maintaining that she would never create something that she wouldn't wear herself. "At least this way, even if a particular ornament doesn't sell, it can find it's way into my own jewellery box!" she smiles.

Jewel box
Working with semi-precious stones including turquoise, aquamarine and bloodstone as well as Tibetan silver (it's cheaper and versatile), Rila's market lies among open-minded, mature women who can appreciate the value of these semi-precious stones. She tells us of a merchandiser who once commented, "Hey, this is for the intellectual Bengali woman!" "I absolutely agreed," she says. "My creations are for the intellectual Bengali, Malayali, Tamilian or Gujarati woman." Rila crafts these designs single-handedly and makes about 20-30 odd pieces every month. Stores in Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai retail her designs. The rest are stocked at her home where customers stop over by personal appointment. Mumbaiites can opt for the online route instead to get a piece of her unconventionally chic line.

Call 09831280000
Price Range Rs 300(earrings),
Rs 6,000 (for jewellery sets)
Email beeskneeskolkata @gmail.com;
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