[Gauri and Nainika]

Diamonds and pearls, rhinestones and beads. Crystalline heels and metallic sling-bags. A dash of the whimsical, blended with the theatrical. To elevate and enhance to total goddess potential.

HOW TO

Scrounge in the family vault for invaluable finds - a neglected rice pearl multi-strand necklace, beaten gold kadas, silver anklets, stone-encrusted hair ornaments, gigantic paste cufflinks…. All the above will perk up any outfit or look - the necklace with dungarees and T-shirt; kadas with a ruffled, pleated-cuff shirt; anklets attached with garnet and peridot danglers with a suede mini; hair ornaments pinned all over loose, windblown hair; the cufflinks on a gemstone- hued, jacquard blouson.

Costume jewellery is cheap, cheerful and undeniably effective. Source for individualistic pieces that make a statement all on their own so that you don't overkill with too much junk. Try a long rope of plastic beads over a low cowl neck, copper coin bracelets with an all-blue pantsuit or glass-blown brooches on a crochet cravat. Add a nostalgic touch with colourful make-up pouches, they make for great evening reticules. Brocade mojris will also add an old-age charm to your ensemble.

Sometimes, just having fun with your chest of accessories can help develop a couture-style statement - pile a bunch of brass, silver, copper bangles upto your elbow to enhance the funky factor of your metallic top; sling an uncut-diamond jhumar through a slim strand of ribbon and you have an indigenous choker to complement your leather corset and clip on dainty gold charms to your towelled bathroom slippers for ultimate bedtime luxury!

Go for it: : Kamal Sidhu, Hema Deora, Maithili Ahluwalia.

Collections: Ritu Kumar, Chanel, Fendi, Manolo Blahnik.

[Malini Ramani]	[Emporio Armani]