Latest news with #Zoya
News18
8 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Rings With Meaning: Why Statement Jewellery Today Is About More Than Just Sparkle
Last Updated: From Portuguese-cut diamonds to sculptural enamel artistry, statement rings today are bold, personal, and designed to tell a story. In an era where personal style is as much about storytelling as it is about aesthetics, the statement ring has emerged as the new heirloom, bold, expressive, and deeply personal. More than just dazzling accessories, these pieces capture emotion, identity, and a sense of place in the world. For True Diamond, a fine jewellery label known for its commitment to sustainability and distinct design, the statement ring is 'an expression of personality, mood, and memory." As Darayus Mehta, Co-founder, True Diamond, puts it, 'We create pieces that go beyond mere ornamentation, each ring is a bold yet elegant reflection of individuality and purpose." Crafted with ethically sourced Portuguese cut diamonds and Champagne gold, True Diamond's rings are imagined as modern heirlooms, glamorous, meaningful, and made to last. 'These rings are for those who believe their jewellery should tell a story, evoke emotion, and leave a lasting impression. In a world of fleeting trends, we believe in creating pieces that feel timeless and unforgettable," adds Mehta. Meanwhile, the collaboration between Zoya Jewels and British designer Alice Cicolini introduces a sculptural, almost meditative sensibility to the world of high jewellery. Inspired by the mystique and spiritual depth of Lhasa, the Zoya x Alice Cicolini capsule brings together intricate enamel work, uncut diamonds, and poetic design rooted in heritage. 'These are not mere adornments, but soulful expressions each piece telling a layered story inspired by the mystique of Lhasa," says Revathi Kant, Chief Design Officer, Titan. 'With a palette of sage, rose, and dew, these statement rings redefine what it means to wear jewellery — quietly powerful, deeply personal, and timelessly feminine." The rings in this capsule collection merge bold, architectural silhouettes with softness and symbolism a nod to femininity that is intuitive rather than ornamental. Together, these brands are reshaping the narrative around jewellery, from objects of desire to artefacts of meaning. Whether it's the quietly powerful hues of Zoya's enamel work or the glamorous legacy of True Diamond's Portuguese cuts, today's statement rings are wearable stories designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 09:02 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Katrina Kaif Birthday: Revisiting Her Memorable Roles
1/10 Zoya in Ek Tha Tiger (2012) (Image: IMDb) 2/10 In the list of Katrina Kaif's iconic roles, her portrayal of Zoya in Ek Tha Tiger can't be missed. Starring as a Pakistani ISI agent, the actress marked her transition into Bollywood's action genre. She not only matched steps with Salman Khan in the film's adrenaline-pumping action sequences but also delivered emotional intensity, making Zoya one of her most memorable characters. The film's blockbuster success cemented her place as an action heroine. (Image: IMDb) Jasmeet Malhotra in Namastey London (2007) (Image: IMDb) Stepping into a politically charged drama, Katrina broke her glam-doll image with Raajneeti. Her transformation into Indu Pratap, a character inspired by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, showed a more mature side of her acting. To perfect her portrayal, she thoroughly researched Sonia Gandhi and even spent time with Priyanka Gandhi. (Image: IMDb) Dimple Dixit in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011) (Image: IMDb) Jenny in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) (Image: IMDb) This character has to be in Katrina's iconic roles list. We all loved how she portrayed the innocence and playful energy of Jenny. Instead of making the role feel just like a movie character, her portrayal was full of heart and humour with her girl-next-door charm and impeccable comic timing. Paired alongside Ranbir Kapoor, the character is a fan favourite to date and a must-watch in her filmography. (Image: IMDb)
Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
A first-of-its-kind in Indian Luxury: Zoya and Alice Cicolini Craft a Limited-Edition Capsule
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 15: In a defining moment for Indian luxury jewellery, Zoya- India's leading luxury jewellery atelier from the Tata Group--unveils a limited-edition capsule in collaboration with globally acclaimed British designer and curator Alice Cicolini, marking the first international creative partnership for an Indian luxury jewellery atelier. Born out of deep mutual admiration of Indian craft, the capsule pays homage to enamel--one of India's most poetic art forms in luxury. Inspired by the architecture of Lhasa, where every layer tells a story, this collection draws from a landscape rich in form, texture, and colour Zoya, known for its industry-shifting innovation in diamonds and coloured stones, brings that same pioneering spirit to enamel in collaboration with Alice Cicolini. In Alice--whose work traces the journey of motifs across cultures and thoughtfully weaves patterns from different geographies and eras--Zoya finds a kindred spirit: a revered artist whose mastery of enamel is both instinctively playful and deeply respectful of tradition. The collection has a deeply feminine soul--redefining the category through colour and craftsmanship. A palette of sage green, rose, and dew--delicately expressed through cherry blossoms, chevron patterns, and intricate enamel work--brings freshness to Alice Cicolini's master craftsmanship. Each piece, set with uncut diamonds and finished in satin-soft 18k gold, is designed to stir the creative soul and makes her feel alive. A confluence of richly researched artistic legacies, this collaboration--five years in the making--merges Zoya's contemplative, design-first ethos with Cicolini's globally lauded practice, rooted in cultural memory, intricate craftsmanship, and the timeless power of storytelling. "When Zoya approached me with the idea of a collaboration celebrating uncut diamonds and enamel, I felt an immediate connection," shares Alice Cicolini. "Here was a house that honoured craft, story, and soul--design that dares to be different, yet deeply meaningful." The 19-piece capsule reinterprets classic Indian forms like balis and jhumkis through a refined architectural lens, resulting in jewellery that is time-travelled, yet entirely in the moment. From sculptural rings to reimagined jhumkis, yard chains, and bangles, the capsule draws from the layered mystique of Lhasa. The collection also traces the journey of Alexandra David-Neel--the first Western woman to enter Lhasa--celebrating a muse whose fearless passage across borders mirrored an even deeper journey within, much like the Zoya woman. Revathi Kant, Chief Design Officer, Titan Company, adds: "At Zoya, five years of deep, deliberate enamel craftsmanship laid the foundation for this collection. In Alice, we found a true partner--someone who shares our devotion to celebrating India and helped us create a capsule that is both boundary-breaking and redefiniing. Inspired by the architecture of Lhasa, this first-of-its-kind international collaboration in Indian luxury jewellery reflects a woman who wanders freely, carrying multitudes by design--brought to life through sculptural silhouettes and feminine energy." Zoya and Alice Cicolini limited-edition capsule will be available by private appointment at select Zoya boutiques. About Zoya: Zoya, from the Tata Group, is India's leading luxury jewellery brand for the modern sophisticate. As a luxury jewellery atelier, it is celebrated for exceptional craftsmanship, a refined design language, and storytelling rooted in feminine energy. Each piece is a work of wearable art--thoughtfully imagined reflecting the Zoya woman's journey to her truest self, and to awaken that feeling of being alive. Now in its 15th year, Zoya continues to redefine the luxury jewellery experience in India. With twelve exclusive boutiques across Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, and Hyderabad--and Zoya Galleries in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune and Lucknow--the brand showcases luxury at its most intimate and elevated. Zoya now further enhances its bespoke service with video-assisted consultations and home trials, bringing the atelier experience directly to her doorstep. About Alice Cicolini: Alice Cicolini is a British designer and curator whose work bridges global design traditions with intricate craftsmanship, particularly the ancient art of meenakari enamel. Educated at Central Saint Martins, she is known for her vibrant, narrative-led jewellery inspired by sacred architecture, Silk Route motifs, and cultural memory. Over the past decade, she has collaborated closely with master artisans in Jaipur to preserve endangered enamelling techniques, blending Indian craft heritage with contemporary design. A former Director of Arts & Culture at the British Council in India, Alice's pieces have been exhibited at the V & A, Sotheby's, and Somerset House, and she has collaborated with institutions such as Fortnum & Mason and Carpenters Workshop Gallery. Her work is a celebration of colour, story, and the enduring power of traditional artistry. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The Wire
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Wire
A first-of-its-kind in Indian Luxury: Zoya and Alice Cicolini Craft a Limited-Edition Capsule
India | July 15, 2025: In a defining moment for Indian luxury jewellery, Zoya- India's leading luxury jewellery atelier from the Tata Group—unveils a limited-edition capsule in collaboration with globally acclaimed British designer and curator Alice Cicolini, marking the first international creative partnership for an Indian luxury jewellery atelier. Born out of deep mutual admiration of Indian craft, the capsule pays homage to enamel—one of India's most poetic art forms in luxury. Inspired by the architecture of Lhasa, where every layer tells a story, this collection draws from a landscape rich in form, texture, and colour Zoya, known for its industry-shifting innovation in diamonds and coloured stones, brings that same pioneering spirit to enamel in collaboration with Alice Cicolini. In Alice—whose work traces the journey of motifs across cultures and thoughtfully weaves patterns from different geographies and eras—Zoya finds a kindred spirit: a revered artist whose mastery of enamel is both instinctively playful and deeply respectful of tradition. The collection has a deeply feminine soul—redefining the category through colour and craftsmanship. A palette of sage green, rose, and dew—delicately expressed through cherry blossoms, chevron patterns, and intricate enamel work—brings freshness to Alice Cicolini's master craftsmanship. Each piece, set with uncut diamonds and finished in satin-soft 18k gold, is designed to stir the creative soul and makes her feel alive. A confluence of richly researched artistic legacies, this collaboration—five years in the making—merges Zoya's contemplative, design-first ethos with Cicolini's globally lauded practice, rooted in cultural memory, intricate craftsmanship, and the timeless power of storytelling. 'When Zoya approached me with the idea of a collaboration celebrating uncut diamonds and enamel, I felt an immediate connection,' shares Alice Cicolini. 'Here was a house that honoured craft, story, and soul—design that dares to be different, yet deeply meaningful.' The 19-piece capsule reinterprets classic Indian forms like balis and jhumkis through a refined architectural lens, resulting in jewellery that is time-travelled, yet entirely in the moment. From sculptural rings to reimagined jhumkis, yard chains, and bangles, the capsule draws from the layered mystique of Lhasa. The collection also traces the journey of Alexandra David-Néel—the first Western woman to enter Lhasa—celebrating a muse whose fearless passage across borders mirrored an even deeper journey within, much like the Zoya woman. Revathi Kant, Chief Design Officer, Titan Company, adds: 'At Zoya, five years of deep, deliberate enamel craftsmanship laid the foundation for this collection. In Alice, we found a true partner—someone who shares our devotion to celebrating India and helped us create a capsule that is both boundary-breaking and redefiniing. Inspired by the architecture of Lhasa, this first-of-its-kind international collaboration in Indian luxury jewellery reflects a woman who wanders freely, carrying multitudes by design—brought to life through sculptural silhouettes and feminine energy.' Zoya and Alice Cicolini limited-edition capsule will be available by private appointment at select Zoya boutiques. About Zoya: Zoya, from the Tata Group, is India's leading luxury jewellery brand for the modern sophisticate. As a luxury jewellery atelier, it is celebrated for exceptional craftsmanship, a refined design language, and storytelling rooted in feminine energy. Each piece is a work of wearable art—thoughtfully imagined reflecting the Zoya woman's journey to her truest self, and to awaken that feeling of being alive. Now in its 15th year, Zoya continues to redefine the luxury jewellery experience in India. With twelve exclusive boutiques across Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, and Hyderabad—and Zoya Galleries in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune and Lucknow—the brand showcases luxury at its most intimate and elevated. Zoya now further enhances its bespoke service with video-assisted consultations and home trials, bringing the atelier experience directly to her doorstep. About Alice Cicolini: Alice Cicolini is a British designer and curator whose work bridges global design traditions with intricate craftsmanship, particularly the ancient art of meenakari enamel. Educated at Central Saint Martins, she is known for her vibrant, narrative-led jewellery inspired by sacred architecture, Silk Route motifs, and cultural memory. Over the past decade, she has collaborated closely with master artisans in Jaipur to preserve endangered enamelling techniques, blending Indian craft heritage with contemporary design. A former Director of Arts & Culture at the British Council in India, Alice's pieces have been exhibited at the V&A, Sotheby's, and Somerset House, and she has collaborated with institutions such as Fortnum & Mason and Carpenters Workshop Gallery. Her work is a celebration of colour, story, and the enduring power of traditional artistry. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Not everyone is in a position to tell their stories': In Transit makers Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti and Ayesha Sood on the need for authentic representation
Your new docu-series on Amazon Prime Video, In Transit, follows the life of nine transgender, non-binary personalities and their journeys. What triggered the idea for this series? Zoya Akhtar: The reason we wanted to do the series is also how the title came about. It felt like there were these people on a journey. And, not just them; it seemed the law of the land was also on a journey — the mentality was beginning to shift. But everything is in a flux right now. So, while it (homosexuality) was decriminalised, the civil liberties were still not there. There was also 'trans', as in transitioning. In Transit was the working title but the name just stuck. You must have gone through several stories before you zeroed in on these nine people. Ayesha Sood: We had a long period, almost a year-and-a-half, of research and development. We built a small crew of trans-activists, journalists, researchers and production assistants. During that time, a lot of names came up. We started conversations with them. We started investigating their stories and a long list filtered down into a shorter one. It also depended a lot on the fact that characters should be able to tell their stories. Not everyone is in a position to do that. In Made in Heaven S2 (2023), you introduced a transgender character Meher, played by Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju. Did that move lead to the making of this series? Reema Kagti: Definitely. When Zoya and I were researching Meher's character, we realised we needed to educate ourselves. We reached out to people in the community and those interviews opened our minds. That was when Zoya thought this was a series waiting to happen. We even changed the track of Trinetra's character because we ourselves learnt a couple of things. Akhtar: Our work for In Transit started way before Made in Heaven S2 dropped. In 2018, the Supreme Court gave sanctity to LGBTQIA+ relations but it left the policy framework for Parliament. For the last seven years, there hasn't been much headway. What is your expectation from the lawmakers? Akhtar: When we wrote Made in Heaven S1, it was still a criminal act. It was released on March 8, 2019. Before it dropped, it was decriminalised. We had to put a disclaimer at the end of the series. I'm hopeful that things are going to change. As filmmakers, we have to tell those stories because stories bring change. Stories connect you to the other person. You think this is too much or this is not for me or this is not my culture but then you realise that these people have the same concerns as you. They are living in the same system as you. Stories bring us closer and they show us how similar we are. Kagti: It's a process. Today, things are better than how they were 30 years ago. Maybe not a lot better but like any social change, this will also take a long time. Sood: Based on my experience of travelling across the country, you'll be surprised how accepting different communities are. I think society is getting there. Regardless, I think policy and laws have to change first and society will follow. When you are dealing with people who are vulnerable, it takes that much time for them to open up and trust you. Sood: Over a period of a year-and-a-half, we built this team and started to find these characters. We had conversations with them over phone, Zoom and later met them in person. All this while we were trying to get to know them and their stories better. Eventually, they knew exactly what this conversation was going to be like. Kagti: All the nine characters are courageous. They all felt a certain responsibility to speak up. In your experience, what are the positive changes you have seen over the last decade and how much has filmmaking contributed to them? Akhtar: All positive reinforcement that can come with accurate and authentic representation is needed because one may be growing up and feeling different. One may not have that in one's family or in one's friend circle and that could be an isolating experience. When one is able to see these stories on screen, one definitely feels: 'Okay I am not alone'. That is very important and that comes with all kinds of things, whether it is your community, sexuality, disability or even a point of view. You just need to see how you feel represented in a way that may not be in your immediate environment but makes you feel like part of society in a good way. Which medium do you think is more effective while telling stories — features, series or documentary? Akhtar: There is no one thing you can choose. It depends on how stories lend themselves to certain mediums. A certain film can't be stretched for eight hours and a certain series can't be put in three hours. You can't say what is more effective. I am greedy. I love storytelling and I would tell a story in whatever form I think it works. But my heart is in the features. What are the dos and don'ts that you followed? Sood: We never asked any of our characters about whether they have transitioned. If they tell us about it, we talk about it. But sometimes some of the characters have not had a physical transition. We never wanted to make them feel like we are being voyeuristic about their lives. I was never going to ask them if they had had a surgery and what it felt like. If they talk to me about their surgery, only then are we going to bring up how they feel afterwards. You mentioned how one of the characters identified with Kajal bhai in the 90s' show Hum Paanch and, for decades, Rekha and Sridevi have been queer icons. What is the impact cinema has had? Sood: Cinema is the background score to everybody's world. This is the world that we live in and this is our go-to pop culture. Cinema is the world that everyone, sort of, feeds off. Aamir Khan recently said that people are not going to theatres because they get to watch new releases on streamers. How effective is the pay-per-view YouTube model that he spoke about? Akhtar: The model he is speaking about is interesting. YouTube is the most watched platform in India. There are a lot of factors to why the footfalls have fallen post the pandemic. The viewing habit changed because people started watching stuff that was accessible to them. It is very expensive. Regular families choose their outings. Traffic is not fun. Having said that, I have great faith in community viewing. I was in the cinema yesterday, it was a full house and people were clapping. Nothing beats that. Kagti: Parents who enjoy watching movies in theatres must try and inculcate that activity in their children. Also Read | At long last, Gabbar is dead: How Sholay got its original ending back Do you think something should be done about the gap between the movie releasing and when it becomes available on OTT? Akhtar: Producers take certain decisions because of economics. But I agree that there should be more of a gap. Therefore, if you know that you may not see a particular film for a while, that informs the decision differently for certain films. For the big spectacle, tentpole films, anyway, people want to go see it in the theatre. Kagti: It is a two-way process. If, as an audience, you are feeling there is an absence of the kind of films you love watching, you must go out and support the releases that you like. In today's day and age, after a movie comes out, there are people who come on social media and say it is 'their' story. Akhtar: There is a lot of heft when it is a true story. In that case, we will first take the concerned person's permission, rights, blessing and put it out that this is a true story. But, when it is not a true story and if people feel that way, we can't control it. They are free to say what they want, take action and go to court. Kagti: If you really feel this way, you should go to court but nobody actually does. In this day and age of social media, they just want the attention. Then, it ends. Do you have a dream project? Akhtar: For the longest time, my dream project was to make my first film. Luck By Chance (2009) could have been my dream project. Kagti: Whatever we are doing right now is our dream project. Once that gets over, the next one feels like the new dream project.
