How to dress for an identity crisis?

The Nandi bull has been a loyal mascot of the House of Masaba since 2010 when it first charged onto the fashion scene What began as a print evolved into a foil a digital design and even a stone sculpture in stores Itrsquos since been reimagined as an 18carat gold pendant with emeralds Similarly the Haath Phool Hamsa Palm Camera and Candy motifs have become milestones in the brandrsquos journeyMasaba Gupta the founder and designer behind the brand has an instinctive ability to anticipate the next big thing She was the first to go digital in 2015 with the Sugar Plum collection Her ldquoserial collaboratorrdquo label has since seen successful partnerships with brands like Titan Raga Nykaa Samsung and Ekaya ldquoEvery collaboration I do feels like an internshipmdashlearning from scratch learning from the best Itrsquos about coming together with someone who shares a stake in a very crowded marketrdquo says GuptaFamily that shines together mdash Masaba Guptarsquos fine jewellery debut stars her actor mom Neena Gupta and actor husband Satyadeep Misra in the Identity Crisis campaign wearing the Ripple Effect and Toffee Wife neckpiecesIn 2022 she launched Lovechild her beauty line shortly after Aditya Birla Fashion amp Retail Limited ABFRL took a 51 per cent stake in Masaba Lifestyle for R98 crore ldquoMother to Matarardquo is another title in the 35yearoldrsquos repertoire ldquoMotherhood is oddly rewardingrdquo she says ldquoSure itrsquos tiring but it gives you a sense of accomplishmentrdquoNow Gupta is making headlines with Identity Crisis her debut fine jewellery collection in collaboration with Jaipurrsquos Amrapali Jewels She shares that this move is the result of careful thought and trust in her partner Tarang Arora CEO and creative director at Amrapali Jewels ldquoItrsquos the first time I feel like Irsquove nailed the collection at the right timemdashboth personally and for the brand Now I see jewellery as a big part of the brandrsquos futurerdquoJewellery as an extension of your personality mdash from mini to max and everything in between Model Kirandeep Chahal in House of Masaba x Amrapali piecesldquoTodayrsquos buyer wants something uniquemdashpieces that wonrsquot be available everywhererdquo says Arora ldquoEach piece tells a story of heritage while celebrating individuality and selfexpressionrdquo The 46piece collectibles include bracelets necklaces cuffs and earrings crafted in 18k gold diamonds rubies emeralds and nontraditional coloured stones like pink and green tourmalines peridots tanzanite and quartz Prices range from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 30 lakhThe collectionrsquos defining detail is the red dot a signature logo perched on the plump contours of the Masaba brand font now quietly residing behind each piece as a speckmdashlike a steadfast companion always there but never ostentatiousIn this interview the designer opens up about her evolving journey why shersquos ready to say goodbye to signature ldquorani pinkrdquo her pivot into luxury and how shersquos turning the ldquoidentity crisisrdquo into her latest statement pieceEdited excerptsLuxury jewellery was once at odds with fleeting fashionmdashwhat made you bridge thisI feel like we were late to the fine jewellery party Looking back at my earlier collections like the bridal pieces from 201213 I see how I blended traditional Indian elements with modern twistsmdashexperimenting with whites ivories and red dots pushing boundaries at the time Tarang Arora once asked why I didnrsquot design bridal jewellery But while jewellery has traditionally been tied to weddings or heirlooms my focus is on creating pieces for todayrsquos womanmdashtimeless selfinvested jewellery in gold that holds cultural significance and lasting valueThe change in perspective really began when I designed the rani pink saree with the Masaba print Over time it made me question whether we were limiting ourselves to one aesthetic I realised we could be more than just one thing and that shift has carried over into the jewellery collection Honestly I just donrsquot want to do rani pink ever again Like everHow does this jewellery line cater to the evolving needs of womenFashion remains central to my brand but my customers are evolving and theyrsquore seeking jewellery thatrsquos meaningful and versatile I noticed the need for pieces that complement everyday wear like a diamond tennis necklace simple gold chains or understated earrings Thatrsquos why we created the ldquowhite shirt jewelleryrdquo linemdashbecause many women like me wear shirts regularly and want jewellery that can elevate casual or workwearHow has your understanding of your customersrsquo evolving needs shaped your designsTherersquos a real connection I feel with my customers even without spending much time on the shop floor When I win it feels like a personal win for them and when I mess up I know they feel it too Itrsquos an ongoing dialogue even if wersquore not facetofaceAs the brand and I have grown so have my customers Early on younger women couldnrsquot afford higherend pieces but theyrsquove grown with me Theyrsquove moved from prints to embracing more sophisticated items like fine jewellery shifting from hesitation to full confidence This journey with my customers reflects my own growth I know when I succeed they succeed with meIs there a story behind Identity Crisis the title of your fine jewellery collectionIdentity Crisis reflects my personal growth and selfrealisation Even before motherhood I craved something deeper beyond perceptions of privilege and the labels of being the daughter of Neena Gupta and Vivian RichardsNow Irsquom focused on creating pieces that align with my values The campaign captures House of Masabarsquos awakening to a new identity while staying true to its roots and visual storytelling celebrating growth and reinventionmdashmuch like the brand and I fearlessly navigating this new chapterCharm necklaces as personal talismansMasaba Guptarsquos guide to styling jewelleryMix match and make it personalDonrsquot mix just for the sake of itmdashmix because it feels right I love pairing a Kolhapuri Saaz with a tennis necklace a Sat Lada and a long string of pearls maybe South Indian hair clips for a full look Wear it over a white shirt with jeans mixing metals like silver earrings with gold Just avoid mixing metals on printed clothesmdashsolids work better A turtleneck is perfect for mixing antique and modern jewellery acting as a blank canvasFormer supermodel Madhu Sapre wears the Maharani Maker neckpiece stacked earrings and cuffs inspired by the House of Masaba mascotsThe new twist on curated ear accessoriesEarrings are a goto for confidence The ear cuff or dangler trend is all about making a statement Itrsquos not about the clothes but how you accessorise A bold earring paired with a nude lip and a white shirt speaks to your personality What was once about coloured hair now shows in how you style your lips and earsHow to build a charm necklace or braceletFor me charm necklaces are personal talismans of protection and positivity representing milestones like the Nandi camera or palm Your charm should have a personal connection guiding and reminding you of where yoursquove been and where you want to go