A shoe encrusted with 1,200 diamonds at jewellery week

MUMBAI - A ‘Cinderalla Shoe’ encrusted with 1,200 diamonds is what ended designer Rhea Nasta’s show at the ongoing India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) here Tuesday.

The show that gave glimpses of the designer’s three collections - Villandi, Cocktail and Sparkler - was concluded by ace choreographer Sandip Soparrkar and his wife Jesse Randhawa dancing and enacting the story of Cinderella and her lost shoe.

Talking about the shoe, Nasta told IANS: “It’s not just a shoe but a piece of art. It took us almost six months to complete it…Months of research and then fabricating it …We had to be careful about the shape and size of the shoe.”

“It has over 1,200 diamonds set in white gold and every piece of diamond stands out,” the designer added.

Nasta, who started designing in the 1990s, also plans to auction the shoe, keeping the starting bid at Rs.1 crore.

“I’m planning to put the shoe on auction but where and when I don’t know. I was so focused on this show till now that I have not been planning about the auction, but now when this is over, I will make further plans,” she said.

Soparkkar, who created the drama around the shoe with his model wife, said he was happy to be a part of Nasta’s show.

“It was great to hold this beautiful piece while dancing and I’m very happy to be a part of this show. Rhea was the one who had designed Jesse’s wedding jewellery and hence we are happy to do this for her,” he said.

Apart from the shoe, the collection went from traditional to contemporary using coloured stones, kundan work, diamond and gold.

“My collection tried to give the transition of a woman right from the time of the ‘Kamasutra’ till now. That’s why the show started with the Villandi collection, which was traditional bridal wear, going on to a fusion line called Cocktail, a mix of traditional and contemporary styles.

“Finally the collection showcased the Sparkler collection, which was meant for the woman of today and comprised only OF diamonds,” she said.