Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1| June| 2015
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ONE-STOP GUIDE TO ALL YOUR BIJOUTERIE NEEDS
THE STORIES OF
JEWELS
Past and Present
AED 15
EDITORS NOTE
Everything that glitters
sayemawasi@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/sayema.wasi
http://twitter.com/NotSayemaWasi
Acknowledgements
This magazine could not have been
completed without the valuable help
and support of
Afrah Anwar
Aleena Nazir
Amira Khan
Anmol Dhakan
Annalisa Martin
Aziza Iqbal
Bindu Mathur
Fati Ahmed
Joseph John
Kanika Mathur
Lippy Ramchandani
Malika Rehman
Melita DSouza
Muneeza Farooqui
Nadra Khatoon
Nita Ranavade Raut
Rabia Wasi
Radhi Raut
Rashid Wasi
Savitha Sharma
Tania Gandhi
www.meltingcheeze.tumblr.com
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C N
T
O
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Opinion 6
Feature 14
Lifestyle 20
Travelogue
22
Wedding
30
Lounge
34
Accessorize
36
Preview
39
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OPINION
BEST
FRIENDS
FOREVER?
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OPINION
Decades of gendered marketing and advertising has led to some rather ridiculous and, oftentimes, hurtful notions. Women spend more than they save? Pink is a womans colour? Diamonds are a girls best friend?
Sayema Wasi speaks to five young women for their take on the popular phrase
Women arent money digging materialists... Were not some sort of fish you can reel in
with some shiny rocks. Theyre definitely not a girls best friend, but theyre a reasonably good
investement. And I still like them.
- Radhi Raut
Visual Communications Major, American University Dubai
I dont think diamonds are a girls best friend. A girls best friend needs to fulfill some
serious requirements... they need to make her happy. Chocolates! Chocolates are a girls best
friend. And her mans credit card, too. Just kidding!
- Melita DSouza
Media and Communications, Christ University, Bangalore
Diamonds are unnecessary and extremely expensive. I think theyre much better off in
mines than on peoples necks and ears. It doesnt make a lot of sense to me. Friends are necessary, and they usually dont cost much... you know, unless they really like pizza.
- Savitha Sharma
Bachelor of Bussiness Administration (General), Amity University Dubai
I honestly think that diamonds are not a girls best friend. Theyre just stones which come
together to form pieces which are put together to look lovely. There isnt much meaning behind
the phrase - anybody who actually knew a woman would have never said that.
- Annalisa Martin
Media and Communications, Manipal University Dubai
The fact that diamonds are viewed as a girls best friend can be viewed as sexist. For
instance, if a man were to express his love for diamonds, it would be considered inappropriate.
However, the phrase could just be a sales gimmick, too.
- Afrah Anwar
LLB (Honours) Law, Lancaster University
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FEATURE
It takes a lot of courage and belief to be able to change oneself, but its a necessary evil. The
purpose of life is evolution that much has always been apparent to those who understand the
world we live in. How exactly is it that one gets themselves to reinvent?
By Sayema Wasi
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FEATURE
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FEATURE
2.
CLOCKWISE: Amira Khan in 2015; Amiras resinpreserved flower pendants; independantly designed
bangles with professionally sourced materials; close-up
of one of the pendants
1.
4.
3.
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FEATURE
of the skills she learned at the art classes. In the beginning, she
found it was slow, arduous and taxing work, requiring lots of
dedication and concentration, which was hard for her to keep up
with at the time.
At first, though I rather enjoyed the process of creating, I found
it hard to lose myself in it. It was fun, definitely, and it kept me
occupied, but it did not consume me. I found myself busy, but
unhappy and I felt like my isolation was growing.
It was a few weeks later, while practicing Islamic art design, that
she thought she would love to see what she had painted on a
necklace. Looking into the possibilities, Amira discovered a whole
new dimension of art, and a very different perspective.
I found an exhilarating release.. It was wonderful. Not only was
I able to forget all of my worries and problems and sadness, I
found that for the first time in my life that I could create from
scratch, and that I was creating something I could share with all
the people I cared about. It felt even more remarkable when I
noticed that I got better mentally, emotionally and in terms of
skill, with time.
Amira soon learned how to assemble unique jewellery. Being
naturally industrious with a proclivity for learning, she attended
workshops and met with suppliers to attain some very unique
skills.
She learned how to preserve flowers in resin, and how to source
the best quality pendant moulds and chains, until she was able to
build an incredible portfolio of beautiful designs and styles. Her
custom-made jewellery comes in various bright colours and is
affordable enough by her target demographic of teenage school
and college-going girls who have an extremely limited income.
I want to expand my business further.. For now, Im focusing
on making student-oriented jewellery. Just simple chains and
pendants that young girls can wear everyday, and use it to make
their outfits fun and unique.
The best part is that they can buy multiple colours of the same
design, or multiple designs based around the same colour scheme,
so that they can add life and individuality to all of their outfits!
Ive already started selling some of my handmade and handcrafted jewellery, and Ive found a lot of appreciation from my
customers.
I think the most important thing to remember, for anyone in
any sort of difficulty, is that everything is impermanent - good or
bad. Though it may seem hard to see the bigger picture, the best
thing and the worst about this life is that everything passes.
Moving
Forward
Amira offers some practical advice on how to put past
disappointments behind you and start afresh.
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SHIN
ON.
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NE
Photo credits: Sayema Wasi
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FEATURE
REMEMBERING THE
Legacy
We all love holding on to the comforting memories of our distinct, individual pasts. But
what makes the appeal of jewellery so universal, so relatable? Four women speak about their
treasured heirlooms - the prized little pieces of history handed down from one generation to
the next
By Sayema Wasi
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OLDEST JEWELLERY
The worlds oldest jewellery was made from eagle claws was
worn by human relatives 130,000 years ago
Made with eagles talons, the jewellery was found at a site in
Croatia inhabited by Neanderthals
The claws had also been polished
Anthropologists say it is the oldest example of jewellery to
be discovered
The claws predate the arrival of modern humans in Europe
by 80,000 years
HEIRLOOM RINGS
The tradition of passing down engagement rings is one that is
followed in cultures across the world - both East and West
The source of the ring can be from relatives other than direct
familial lines, such as an aunt, cousin or step family
Other than wedding or engagement rings, such as sentimental
favourites are also passed on
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FEATURE
Bindu Mathur
Dubai, UAE
Tania Gandhi
Manila, Philippines
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FEATURE
2.
3.
1.
4.
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FEATURE
Malika Rehman
Dubai, UAE
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LIFESTYLE
MAINTAINING AN
Eternal Shine
Rigorous, everyday use of the personal decorations we hold so dear can lead to a, sometimes
irreversible, lack of luster and brilliance.
Sayema Wasi speaks to Anmol Dhakan, heir to Dhakan Jewellers and self-confessed jewellery
enthusiast about how best to keep your accoutrements in mint condition
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LIFESTYLE
5
Every morning, all jewellery is
lightly dusted with chamois cloth.
Good quality chamois is freely
available and is best suited for the
regular cleaning of jewellery due
to its soft and supple texture.
6
24
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TRAVELOGUE
LIVING 3D
DUBAI, DELHI, DOHA
Muneeza Farooqui, Dubai-based artist, jewellery blogger and director of Inza Art, has lived in
three of the most exciting cities in the world - the emirate of Dubai, UAE; the capital of India,
Delhi; and the rising Qatari capital of Doha. What are the intricacies of the jewellery market
in these glittering cities? Sayema Wasi finds out
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Dubai
Dubai is, without a doubt, the most decadent of the three, she
says immediately, a bright smile on her face. It really doesnt get
much better than here. Sure, there are somethings that you may
find cheaper, or better, or more interesting elsewhere, but overall
this is the best place for nearly everything.
Gold is, obviously, the top selling commodity, but thats
something thats only common with the Arab, Indian or Indian
subcontinental population.
What are the trends like otherwise, then, outside of these
communities?
Most expatriates from the West have an affinity for diamonds.
Its not like the scenario with Indians who buy large, heavy
diamond sets either. These buyers have very specific tastes, and
TRAVELOGUE
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TRAVELOGUE
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TRAVELOGUE
Doha
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LOUNGE
Delhi
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BO
TREA
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OX FULL OF
ASURES
Photo credits: Sayema Wasi
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WEDDING
Most women dream of the perfect wedding. Bright lights, colourful celebrations, dozens
of people, heaps of fun, and the perfect outfit. One of the most important elements of the
wedding trousseau is the brides jewellery. Sayema Wasi lists the significance of some elegant
styles you can opt for
1.Kundan
Kundankari the art of making the kundan style of jewellery can be dated back to
1526. Its origins are in the northern state of Rajasthan, whereas Hyderabad is found to
the sister state for the skill in the south. The bold and unique artisanship of Kundankari
soon became extremely popular, especially in the Mughal period among the royals.
It involves setting precious stones, most commonly diamonds, into hollow moulds
made of gold foil or silver. Kundankari is considered the oldest form of contemporary
jewellery making, and remains just as popular as it was centuries ago.
A traditional kundan set will always be effortlessly stylish. The beautiful cuts, shapes and
sizes that kundan sets are available in are versatile, and are available in a series of ranges
to suit various budgets.
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WEDDING
2.PEarls
In ancient religions, pearls are symbolic of the moon and possessing magical properties.
In fact, most religions make reference to pearls. They are symbolic in Hindu, Hebrew,
Christian and Islamic religions. Pearls are heavenly and pure, the symbol of perfection.
Once upon a time, the family jewels were passed down from generation to generation.
Pearls were popular and worn by royalty only. Who else could afford such rare luxuries
from the ocean bed?
Pearls are a staple in the modern womans wardrobe chic and sophisticated, a set
of cultured pearls is a go-to for formal events and work conferences. They add class
without being attention-seeking.
3.DIAMONDS
Diamonds were first discovered in India. This was in 800 BC, and soon
Alexander the Great brought them back with him to Europe after his
campaign in India. Before the Medieval era Diamonds were worn rough, or cut
and polished only on their upper surfaces. It was in this form that diamonds
used to ornament temples, goblets and crowns. The history of cutting
diamonds dates back to the beginning of the 1400s in Paris.
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While a pure diamond set is out of reach for most women, designs combined
with stones and other metals are available in a variety of price ranges.
A diamond pendant is a simple and affordable must-have. A barely noticeable
bauble that can be worn everyday, regardless of the outfit, helps maintain a
degree of individuality.
WEDDING
4.gold
Gold has been revered through time, nearly every culture that has found gold has used it
in full understand of its rarity and brilliance.
Gold was first discovered as shining, yellow nuggets. Gold is where you find it, so the
saying goes, and gold was first discovered in its natural state, in streams all over the world.
It is the easiest of the metals to work. It occurs in a virtually pure and workable state,
whereas most other metals tend to be found in ore-bodies that pose some difficulty in
smelting.
Golds early uses were no doubt ornamental, and its splendour and permanence (it neither
corrodes nor tarnishes) linked it to deities and royalty in early civilizations.
In Indian culture, gold is a highly traditional and sought-after metal. This is because
not only is it beautiful, coming in a wide array of styles, but also because it is seen as a
sensible, extremely valuable investment that only appreciates in value over time.
Having a gold set or a pair of earrings at least is necessary for every Indian bride. The
basic rule is to start with a gold set, and then work your way into your budget depending
on other tastes and likes. v
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LOUNGE
SO YOU TH
KNOW YO
Although diamonds, gems and gold are irresistibly beautiful, there are plenty of more
affordable options - such as some of the artificial replicas pictured here - for the average young
woman. Sayema Wasi asks, think you know your bling? Take the Real or Fake quiz to find out!
3
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LOUNGE
HINK YOU
OUR BLING ?
4
5
6
1. Fake
2. Real
3. Real
4. Real
5. Fake
6. Fake
ANSWERS:
Photo credits: Sayema Wasi
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ACCESSORIZE
Spectacular if you get it right. Disastrous should you get it wrong. Statement jewellery is,
for most women, a reckless venture into uncharted territory. What is it about big, chunky,
brightly couloured baubles that so terrify women? The answer, according to Sayema Wasi, lies
in decided simplicity
tatement jewellery is the modern womans go-to for
livening up a regular outfit. Boring, safe monochromes,
simple jeans and t-shirt ensembles, and frayed old smocks
can all be made chic almost instantly with the right choice
of statement jewellery.
that people might notice irregular tan lines are rob you of selfconfidence in important situations. Use sunscreen twenty minutes
before leaving home regardless of whether youre staying indoors
or outdoors, and never neglect sunscreen if youre going to be
out in the scorching desert heat.
Here are some easy ideas to help you choose the right statement
piece. Remember though, rules are meant to be broken,
accessorizing is all about having fun, and style is anything youre
comfortable with!
3. Mix it up.
1. One at a time.
4. Contrast is key.
Be careful not to make it too much of a good thing, which is an
easy mistake to make and an immediate way to ruin an otherwise
great outfit. Contrast solid coloured clothes with brightly
coloured, patterned jewellery, or wear patterned, busy dresses
or shirts with solid coloured necklaces, bracelets or earrings
statement pieces can get lost if theyre worn closely with
patterned clothing. v
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PREVIEW