The floral muse

"Can any flower match the fragrance of the mogra? Moonlit nights in Hyderabad white sheets on nivaad ke palang laid out in the daalaan with mogras scattered on them.

My beautiful mother lying in a white cotton gharara kurta chuna hua dupatta with mogras in her kaan ka baalis…" - popular actress, a Hyderabadi at heart, Shabana Azmi shared her memories from the city on Twitter.

Hyderabad with its vast mogra gardens spreading fragrance all around are a thing of past, fondly retold as memories by old time Hyderabadis, but the flowers are very much a part of the city fabric. Weddings especially are incomplete without these flowers.

The bride also wears them like jewellery during the Mehendi.

Popular jewellery designer Suhani Pittie's new collection of jewellery is inspired by the fragrant and beautiful Mogra – and is called 'Mogra Muse' that takes from the deep connection of the flower with the city, that once had been full of gardens.

"Mogra and Genda phool are such important part of our festivities.

During weddings you see young girls wearing fresh Mogra flowers as jewellery. We wanted to give the bride and bridesmaid something that they can take with them," shares the designer.

Suhani's love for Hyderabad has always manifested in her collections that have over the time gained far reaching repute with Bollywood actresses and celebrities endorsing them.

"The filigree work, bidri craft, the excellent craftmanship of the jewellery makers, all these always find their way into my designs. There is always an element of the city in what I make and wear," she relates.

Her new collection 'Mogra Muse' is flowly, flowery, and almost lyrical in its design.

The copper jewellery with 22 carat gold plating, Mogra Muse is about blooming flowers with amazing detailing, flower buds, and carefully moulded petals crafted into the design.

Some of the designs use colourful handpainted petals with enamel, a few others embellished with a carving that on closer look reveal the influence of the designs on scaffolding you see on Charminar; some use pearls beautifully embedded to add to the allure.

Made into hand gloves, bracelets, earrings, chockers, necklaces and rings, the exquisitely designed pieces are like they have grown out of a garden of metal.

In addition to silver, steel, copper and acrylic, recently, the store added 22 carat gold collection on popular demand, employing traditional design, but simple in presentation, which is another trademark of the brand.

From a designer to becoming a popular brand, Suhani Pittie has grown to be a trend setter. "We do not follow trends. We would rather be at the forefront of what should happen," she shares.

Evidently all her collections through the years came from personal experiences, emotions, feedback from the clients, and a drive for perfection.

By adapting age-old techniques of jewellery making that have been passed on from centuries, Suhani has employed her design sensibilities to bring out a unique identity that presents tradition in modern lines.

"We have such a rich tradition of craft. I start with what I want, take from it and mould it into something modern to add value and make it relatable to the present market.

Every collection we make comes from a different thought, but one look at it and you would know it is ours," she states.

It is also a sense of purpose that drives the designer. And as an extension of the purpose Suhani Pittie is introducing handmade furniture and clothing line.

The bespoke furniture pieces use traditional weaves like Ikat with Suhani's metal embellishments adding the luxe factor giving the collection a unique brand identity.