When gold gets lyrical

We live in a day and age where time and practically everything that falls within the twenty four hours of each day is measured in its monetary value; how well it will sell. It’s a rare and extraordinary pleasure to come across a creative artist who designs for the delight, the thought and the consciousness of design. And that’s why the brand KFJ is special. The kind of jewellery Kiran Aman designs is a pleasure for the soul, not just the visual senses, and each of her collections – my personal favourites being Time Scripts Man. Man Scripts Time and Esoteric – has been a reflection of what has moved her at that particular moment. These days it’s Harmonia, her latest collection crafted out of delicate gold bells. And for this she has collaborated with singing sensation of the moment, Sara Haider, as brand ambassador. Kiran prefers to call Sara a ‘KFJ Woman”, as brand ambassador, again, suggests at a commercial angle.

 

 

“Harmonia and Sara Haider are a perfect match,” Kiran spoke exclusively to Aamna Haider Isani about the collaboration, which will be revealed this week. “The concept resonated with her and she with us. Harmonia is about concord and creating symphony, which is the essence of music also.”

 

The designer explained how the word Harmonia was derived from the goddess of harmony in Greek mythology and incorporates the ghungroo (bell) as the central motif in twos – signifying that only with the pairing of the bells can the sound and their purpose be fulfilled. “The ghungroos through their existence have always been ‘we’ and never ‘I’,” she added.

 

Building on that thought, we spoke to Sara Haider about what it meant to her.

 

Why did you agree to associate yourself with KFJ?

 

Sara Haider: Kiran is lovely and passionate about her work and kind. I get such a warm genuine energy from her. We connected. She didn’t expect me to be some size 0 pretty face to make her jewellery look nice… she wanted me to be exactly who I am, to be comfortable with what I’m doing.

 

And Rizwan (photographer, Rizwan ul Haq). I’d never met him before this but I was and remain a HUGE fan of his work. He’s so cool. He has all these scars and he’s gotten injured on shoots because he will do WHATEVER it takes to get that shot right. Such a boss! I fell in love with his personality instantly.

 

What is the defining factor in whether or not you agree to be part of a campaign?

 

SH: The way the team interacts with each other. The way the designer speaks to me. It can be something as simple as a designer talking warmly about her kids doing well in school or what thought went into putting together “that great outfit”. I’m human. I’m unsure and trying my best and working hard. I want the people I associate myself with to be the same. Honest. Genuine. Passionate. Good at their jobs.

 

And how do you associate yourself with the design of the ring that you have named?

 

SH: The ring is two pieces of ghungroo intertwined together in an S shape. Because one has no meaning without the other. Lots and lots of those little pieces make one loud melodic instrument. It’s such a romantic concept. I named it ‘sahara’ meaning ‘support’.

 

 

Do you see style as an integral part of being a musician? Do you feel that branding and proper marketing of celebrities helps in molding their public image?

 

SH: I think everyone has their own style. It’s not a concept restricted to one income bracket or class or profession. I think people in very expensive clothes can have no style and people who wear the same simple thing everyday can have tonnes of style. It’s an expression of your personality. Like your haircut or your walk or the way you speak. I do think public figures have more pressure to stand out and to make a statement with their style. It’s a competitive industry.

 

– Sara’s portraits by Rizwan ul Haq

– Jewellery image by Mahwish Rizvi