JUNK JEWELLERY

The workshop resulted in producing a wide range of jewellery designs constructed with collection of different type of natural materials with inter-mingling of plastics and synthetic stones. The material used in the junk jewellery was nuts, petals, plastic beads, metallic beads, feathers, dried and laminated leaves etc.

Ms. Kurian elaborated that these designs could take up various natural shades and colors of blue, yellow, pink, red, rust or gray creating a modern appeal. The traditional shapes and the motifs like fauna and flora were also used to create a combination of modern and tribal designs. Ms. Kurian explained that this manifests more contemporary look and the jewellery can be used in different occasions.

Mr.Srikar Rao, Gemologist and owner of quartz mines presented a lapidary workshop (lapidary- an art of gem cutting and polishing) focused on the techniques of gem selection and cutting/polishing gems.

The techniques of lapidary are vast and Mr.Rao presented it to the level of a beginner to a professional technocrat. The whole presentation focused on the techniques as he used partially cut and polished gemstones in each stages of cutting and polishing. The day long workshop gave immense outlook to the students about the field of gem cutting and polishing.

July –2006 witnessed a workshop on Passion jewellery, which was conducted by Mrs. Antonio Raj, International Jewellery designer and proprietor of Passion jewellery, Sri Lanka. The workshop mainly focused on the techniques of jewellery making by using beads and semiprecious stones in jewellery. Passion jewellery is a form of jewellery, which focuses on the needs of fashion and glamour. The design produced during the workshop had both contemporary and modern appeal.

The techniques like simple chain making, dazzles making and use of different elements in different location of a design made the jewellery more beautiful and elegant. The designs were mainly crafted by using varied coloured stones, i.e., natural, semi precious and synthetic stones with the combination of brass, metal beads, silver beads, and aluminum and alloyed beads. The beads contributed varied metallic luster and colour to the jewellery designs.

Jewellery crafted in such manner can be used festival and party occasions. The products were affordable and more attractive in its look.

On Oct-2006 jewellery workshop was held on artificial jewellery. This was conducted by Mrs. Antonio Raj, International Jewellery designer and proprietor of Passion jewellery, Sri Lanka. The workshop resulted in many jewellery designs crafted and created the students in the one day workshop.

Artificial jewellery is a recently developed trend in jewellery industry. In this jewellery, we use only artificial stones and metallic beads. Artificial stones made of plastic and synthetic stones were used during the workshop. Stones with different color, hue, carving, and metallic beads made of silver; stainless steel, aluminum, brass, wood, and resin were used as major components in the jewellery. The techniques like simple chain making was used for connecting the stones and different findings made of brass, silver, stainless steel was used to connect various links in different locations of the jewellery.

The crafted designs were very colorful and vibrant and had an attractive look. The designs were made based on the difference in color and luster of various metals. This jewellery was every women’s jewellery, which any one could learn easily and, make their own designs and use it in for daily use, on different occasions with different colored attire.

Prasad Biddappa, a popular figure of the contemporary fashion scene, privileged the students of Vogue Institute Of Fashion Technology (November, 2006) by his address on the common issues that students face while stepping into the fashion foray.

The fashion guru’s primary emphasis was on the promotion of khadi. He said, as upcoming designers it should be inevitable that we promote khadi, one of our traditional fabrics, which is far more versatile, with respect to design innovation than imported fabrics like linen, silk and cotton which are being given more importance. He added, that young designers need to rise to the occasion of promoting khadi on an international level, by expressing their creativity and talent.

Mr. Prasad Biddappa, then spoke of branding, which he said is one of the most important factors for success and recognition in the fashion fraternity. According to him, one of the best ways to promote oneself as a designer is to use one’s name or a few alphabets from the name as a brand name. A simple logo creates an impact and lends identity to one’s brand. Branding amounts to customer recall, loyalty and brand popularity.

According to Mr. Biddappa few factors that a designer has to bear in mind while designing whether it be a bridal collection or a casual wear are the traditions, the culture, the climatic conditions and natural light of the region in question.

Mr. Biddappa went on to answer student’s queries and elaborated upon the future careers and endeavors available to them.

A workshop on pattern making & grading was conducted in February 2007, by Mr.Tiziano, Fashion Designer and Master in Pattern making from Venice, Italy. It was an interesting insight into the international techniques and methods used in the hard-to-perfect subjects of pattern making and grading. The 3 day workshop offered an opportunity to learn the basic aspects of pattern making and the quick skills required to produce the perfectly fitting pattern. Students were also taught quick grading methods for fast and efficient grading of patterns to various sizes. They were given useful suggestions on the commonly faced fitting problems and how to eliminate them. Tips on how to alter finished garments to fit different body types helped to deal with critical clothing crisis and taking immediate decisions without waste of fabric or time.

All in all, it was very informative about techniques and skills of pattern making and grading practiced on international level and how they could be adopted towards making better garments.