Latest news with #Agate
Fashion Value Chain
02-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Bagzone Lifestyles Launches Akiki London, Redefining Contemporary Luxury
Bagzone Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd., a long-established name in the accessories industry, announces its boldest move yet with the launch of Akiki London — a contemporary luxury handbag brand that brings together heritage craftsmanship, modern design, and meaningful self-expression. Drawing its name from Agate, a gemstone known for its layered elegance and resilience, Akiki reflects the multifaceted spirit of women who value beauty with purpose. The brand's debut collection delivers refined handbags that transcend fleeting trends, crafted for women who define luxury through individuality rather than price tags. Akiki's identity is deeply rooted in London's cultural diversity, channeling the city's timeless sophistication and edge into every design. Each handbag blends global aesthetics with artisanal precision, created in collaboration with expert partners across Europe and Asia. Despite its luxury positioning, Akiki promises accessibility by eliminating the traditional luxury markup — offering premium craftsmanship without compromise. Adding a vibrant, emotional layer to the brand is KIKI, a British Bulldog mascot that serves as Akiki's expressive brand muse. KIKI will appear across campaigns and in-store displays as a symbol of the brand's bold, confident personality, forging a deeper connection with its audience. Speaking on the launch, Mr. Nishant Bakliwal, Head – Digital & Communications at Bagzone, stated: 'Akiki enters a space largely underserved by traditional luxury – handbags designed not just for work or utility, but for moments that matter. These are statement pieces made for impact, merging heritage and innovation for today's discerning woman.' The launch of Akiki London signifies Bagzone's evolution from an accessible fashion player to a visionary in the modern luxury segment. With this shift, the company strengthens its commitment to thoughtful design, authenticity, and long-lasting quality. Akiki London's debut collection is now available on its digital-first platform: Physical retail expansion is on the horizon, with flagship stores planned in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai, followed by an ambitious goal of 100 stores in the next five years. These stores will offer an immersive brand experience, reflecting Akiki's London-inspired identity and refined aesthetic.
Fashion Value Chain
30-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Bagzone Launches Akiki London in Contemporary Luxury
Bagzone Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd. has entered a transformative phase with the launch of Akiki London, a modern luxury handbag brand celebrating individuality and design excellence. Drawing inspiration from Agate, Akiki reflects inner strength and elegance, offering timeless, well-crafted pieces that transcend seasonal trends. Rooted in London's cultural richness and powered by global craftsmanship from Europe and Asia, Akiki delivers refined handbags without traditional luxury markups. Marking a shift from utility to statement fashion, Akiki redefines the accessory space with silhouettes that are bold yet understated—designed for moments of meaning and style. The brand also introduces KIKI, its expressive British Bulldog mascot, adding playfulness and identity across campaigns and stores. With a digital-first debut through Akiki targets today's purpose-driven consumers. Flagship stores in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai will follow, setting the stage for 100 outlets across India over the next five years. As part of this evolution, Bagzone transitions from an accessible fashion leader to a frontrunner in contemporary luxury.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Bagzone Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd. Announces the Launch of Akiki London – A New Chapter in the Contemporary Luxury Segment
With over three decades of expertise in the world of bags and accessories, Bagzone Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd. marks a significant milestone with the unveiling of its most meaningful evolution - Akiki London, a contemporary luxury handbag brand for today's woman of substance and style. The new brand is introducing a debut collection of handbags that perfectly blends modern global designs with artisanal heritage, celebrating thoughtful craftsmanship and individuality. The name Akiki draws inspiration from Agate, a gemstone known for its layered beauty and innate strength. The brand not only reflects the spirit of the women it's made for but is also committed to creating pieces that are both beautiful and meaningful to those who wear them. Akiki speaks to the woman who seeks more than just functionality from fashion; she seeks meaning. Her individuality is defined by her own language of style and not by momentary trends. Rooted in the cultural richness of London, Akiki reimagines handbags not merely as accessories but as thoughtful expressions of self – artful, purposeful and personal. Each silhouette is designed to be timeless yet contemporary, bold yet understated and elegant - much like the city that shapes its aesthetic. And to further bring excellence and meticulous craftsmanship to its innovative designs, Akiki collaborates with renowned partners across Europe and Asia. This allows the brand to deliver pieces that embody global luxury standards without the conventional markup. Further adding a creative and unique layer to its narrative, Akiki is introducing KIKI - its official mascot and brand muse. Represented by a British Bulldog, KIKI embodies the playful, expressive, and unapologetically bold spirit of the brand. Designed to serve as a visual anchor across campaigns and collections, KIKI will be brought to life through a custom in-store display, creating a memorable touchpoint and a deeper emotional connection with Akiki's audience. 'With Akiki, we enter into a largely untapped white space as the market continues to evolve. While most handbags focus primarily on workwear and utility-driven design, Akiki's statement pieces have been engineered for moments of substance and impact, offering the discerning woman of today luxury that is thoughtful, well-crafted and leaves a lasting impression. This launch marks an exciting new chapter for us as we proudly add this unique offering that bridges heritage with innovation and empowers women to express their true selves', says Nishant Bakliwal, Head - Digital & Communications at Bagzone Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd. Furthermore, the launch marks a significant evolution for Bagzone Lifestyles - from a trusted name in accessible fashion to a trailblazer in contemporary luxury. With this bold step forward, the company reaffirms its design-first ethos and commitment to serving a new generation of consumers who value authenticity, quality, and purpose.
Observer
18-02-2025
- General
- Observer
Buying gemstones? Local gemologist shares important things you should consider
In recent years, the gemstone market has experienced a surge of excitement and confusion with the rise of commercially manufactured stones. How are these captivating natural treasures classified, and what criteria—such as value, colour, and origin—play a pivotal role in this determination? For gemstone enthusiasts like Muath bin Abdullah al Ghafri, the art of distinguishing between authentic stones and imitations is a passion steeped in knowledge and experience. 'There are simple methods to detect gemstones without a lab,' Muath shares. 'Take the handkerchief and perfume method: if you wipe the stone with a scented cloth and it leaves a trace of colour, that indicates it's dyed and thus, a fake.' He cautions, however, that relying solely on light to identify authenticity can be misleading. Some genuine stones are naturally opaque, rendering such tests ineffective. Buying gemstones? Local gemologist shares important things you should consider Buying gemstones? Local gemologist shares important things you should consider The secrets embedded in gemstones are as vast as their colours are diverse. Muath's journey through collecting exquisite gems grants him the ability to discern subtle differences between stones that may appear similar yet vary significantly in composition. He explains, 'Stones like Agate, Star Sapphire, and Garnet, while all boasting shades of red, are geologically distinct. Agate is a pure blood-red, resembling natural rock, whereas Star Sapphire bears a pinkish hue, and Garnet reveals a deeper, darker red that transforms into a maroon when illuminated.' Historical use of gemstones Gemstones have captivated humanity for millennia, evolving from simple adornments to symbols of power, wealth, and protection across various cultures. Their rich history traces back as far as 25,000 BC, with prehistoric people creating beads from natural stones and shells. Buying gemstones? Local gemologist shares important things you should consider Buying gemstones? Local gemologist shares important things you should consider The ancient Egyptians were among the first to harness the beauty of gemstones around 3000 BC. They utilised stones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emeralds, which were believed to offer protection and facilitate the journey to the afterlife. Similarly, the Indus Valley Civilisation and Mesopotamians esteemed gemstones for both decorative and spiritual purposes, crafting seals and religious amulets from stones like carnelian and agate. Throughout history, gemstones have held significant cultural importance, symbolising status and love. For example, sapphires were thought to safeguard royalty, while diamonds symbolised strength. These beliefs contributed to the flourishing trade of gemstones along routes like the Silk Road, where they became important goods that transcended borders and cultural barriers. The Renaissance marked a surge in demand for gemstones in Europe, influencing art, fashion, and societal norms. As the Industrial Revolution introduced mining advancements, gemstones became more accessible, yet high-quality stones retained their luxury status. Buying gemstones? Local gemologist shares important things you should consider Buying gemstones? Local gemologist shares important things you should consider Today, the market for gemstones continues to thrive, fuelled by factors such as rarity, quality, and cultural significance. The precious 'Four Cs'—colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight—play a crucial role in determining a gemstone's value, while historical associations enhance their allure. Oman: A Gemstone Paradise Muath's journey of collecting luxury and unique gemstones enables him to identify stones that are similar in colour but geologically different in composition and name. He explained, 'There are many stones with the same colour, but their chemical properties differ due to their geological formation, such as Agate, Star Sapphire, and Garnet. These stones are all red in colour, but it is possible to distinguish between them. For example, Agate is pure red, like blood, and resembles natural rock, while Star Sapphire is pinkish-red. The Garnet stone is a very dark red and can be distinguished when exposed to light, changing to dark brown or maroon.' Oman is a prime location for exploring gemstones, with the most common stones being Omani Agate and Quartz. There are many places to extract gemstones, such as the Wilayat of Samayil, Saih Hatat in Muscat, Wadi Haibi in Sohar, and the mountains of Quriyat. Buying gemstones? Local gemologist shares important things you should consider Buying gemstones? Local gemologist shares important things you should consider At first glance, one is amazed by the sparkling beauty of the gemstones, the formation of their layers, and the variety of stunning colours. This geological difference relates to the classification of the rocks in which the gemstones originated, such as metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks. Each classification of rock contains a list of gemstones. Agate is extracted from igneous rocks and belongs to the silica stones. It consists of silica dioxide mixed with iron oxide, and sometimes, some agate contains nickel. Certain gemstones undergo treatment processes for enhancement. Heat treatment focuses on deepening the stone's colour, making it darker. The glass treatment method alters the chemical properties of the stone, giving it a shiny, glass-like appearance. The treatment of gemstones plays a role in their economic and investment value. 'The value of untreated gemstones increases over time because they have not been chemically interfered with, and their properties have not changed, so their value remains high. As for treated gemstones, their investment value decreases, but not all stones are affected. Some gemstones are labour-intensive during the treatment process, so their value can actually increase. There are also a few countries from which prized gemstones are extracted, like Africa, which holds treasures of precious stones,' Muath shared. He added, 'For instance, the treated Star Sapphire appears red, while the untreated Star Sapphire is purple-grey. Additionally, the investment value of a gemstone decreases when it is abundant. In contrast, if the gemstone is rare, like the ruby—which is a very dark red colour resembling the blood of a deer—it is considered a rare stone and has a significantly higher value compared to gemstones that are easy to obtain.' Most gemstones do not deteriorate under natural conditions, except for a few that can dry out and become brittle, making them prone to breaking. Opal, for example, is formed in watery environments. Therefore, soaking the stone in water for up to two days is essential for its preservation. In Nizwa, with its historical significance, is another gem hotspot. Local artisans produce traditional silver jewellery adorned with semi-precious stones like garnet and turquoise, allowing visitors to take home pieces that reflect Omani craftsmanship and history. Lastly, Sohar, once famous for pearl diving, is now embracing gemstone trading. The city features a growing selection of turquoise and coral jewellery, with artisans blending modern techniques into traditional designs. As more visitors are drawn to Oman's rich cultural tapestry, the gemstone trade is flourishing, creating new opportunities for local artisans and preserving age-old practices. While exploring these markets, travellers can engage with artisans, learning about the intricate processes that go into crafting each piece, from the initial selection of raw stones to the meticulous polishing that reveals their inner beauty. This connection to the makers adds a personal touch to each purchase, turning gemstones from mere commodities into meaningful keepsakes. Muath encourages those interested in gemstones to appreciate not just their beauty but the stories and histories they carry. 'Every stone has a journey. From the depths of the earth to the hands of skilled craftsmen, they embody time, culture, and nature,' he reflects.
