Go green this festive season with sustainable jewellery

This festive season, the focus has shifted to sustainable jewellery, that both promotes local art and artists, while being environment-friendly ― all while being extremely cool and stylish.
‘Green jewellery’, made from sustainable materials like clay, terracotta, bamboo, cloth and beads, is a rage among fashionistas, and a hit on Instagram, too!

Terracotta becomes funky

Ritika Tara Sharma worked with artisans from Kolkata to make terracotta jewellery with Goddess Durga motifs
@rangtara

Terracotta jewellery has gone a chic and funky makeover, courtesy a splash of pop colour. Creating a marriage between art and fashion, while promoting sustainability and local art, many jewellery designers are working closely with artisans in different parts of the country.

“While some pieces have modern motifs like Frida Kahlo and characters inspired from pop culture, what is interesting is the millennials and Gen Zs are in love with pendants and earrings that have faces of Goddesses too. Available in vibrant hues such as bright green, red, yellow, blue, purple, mint green, and neon pink, these ornaments are in sync with the festive vibes,” says Kavya Chaturvedi, jewellery designer and entrepreneur from Delhi. Terracotta jewellery is made from natural clay and baked to make it long-lasting. “We are adding naturally extracted colours to make them festive and young,” adds, Kavya.

Bamboo gets a festive spinThe presence of bamboo jewellery, a speciality of Arunachal Pradesh, made with cane and bamboo, has become more prominent on fashion ramps in recent time. Nitin Pamnani, co-founder, iTokri, a brand that deals in everything handmade and locally produced, says, “Nothing is funkier and cooler than being eco-friendly. With sustainability becoming the new mantra, jewellery handmade by local artisans, involving zero waste, have got a cool makeover that resonates with youngsters, too. All our bamboo jewellery are already sold out.” Bamboo pendants and earrings inspired by animals, nature and tribal themes is especially popular. Most cane jewellery is made with leftover bamboo shoots and is meticulously handcrafted.

Garima Goel, who wanted to take a break from all the shine and bling of regular accessories, says that necklaces and earring made from bamboo are a refreshing change. “A lot of bamboo jewels now come in eye-catching colours and extremely chic designs that go with both saris, kurtas, and Westernwear. So, whenever I am not in a mood to dress up in full traditional attire, I simply wear a pair of denims, throw on a T-shirt, and add these jewellery pieces for a quick and easy-going festive look,” says Garima.

Thread and cloth turn into chunky statement pieces
What’s more interesting than wearing a Kalamkari sari? Pairing it with cloth earrings! Instagram is proof that both fashion lovers and connoisseurs of handloom are proud to flaunt necklaces, earrings, and bangles made with leftover Kalamkari, Madhubani, ikkat, and zardozi fabric. They are not just eco-friendly, but also extremely reasonable in price.

“A huge pendant with a Madhubani motif looks extremely chic when worn with a plain sari, kurta or top. It is a great way to ‘wear art’. Similarly, huge Kalamkari round balis and diamond-shaped earring in ikkat print look elegant,” says stylist Janvi Jindal.

Jaipur-based designer Surabhi Maheshwari, who specialises in fabric jewels, says, “We collect leftover cotton fabric, cut them into different shapes and paste them on wooden boards to make pendants. This way, the cloth doesn’t go to waste and consumers have a new variety of jewellery to choose from.”

Bangles made with thread in vibrant colours are also finding customers in the festive season. “They uplift any look, and are great with every outfit,” says Janvi, adding, “If you are in no mood for pendants and earrings, just add these bangles and you are festive ready!”