Anokhi Fashion Lifestyle Entertaiment

Infusing their Indian-inspired designs with an emboldened sense of sophistication and elegance, the fundamental framework of Dagmar’s contemporary jewelry lines lie with the designers’, Pavan Anand and Sushma Kilachand, unwavering dedication to creating timeless, high-caliber jewelry at a significantly reduced cost. Emerald, citrine and cubic zirconia embellish delicate swirls of gold, throwing a chaotic array of prismatic sparkles amid a slew of softly-sheened, strategically-placed fresh water pearls. Thin, intricate, whorls of gold snake their way between rose-cut quartz and cubic zirconia, creating a seemingly endless pattern of rich design.

With a new collection designed, created, and available for purchase every four to six weeks, Dagmar finds itself in an interesting situation: Far from compelled to keep up with worldwide trends but intrinsic in creating them. The fashion house’s devotion to constructing easily wearable fashion-forward jewelry with the highest-of -quality materials hardly makes it difficult for one to comprehend how the design house of Dagmar—created a mere six years ago—has developed such a strong international presence, steadily gaining in popularity and winning over clients. While other labels struggle to establish themselves as accredited talents, Pavan Anand—the CEO, founder, and designer of Dagmar who has a background in architecture combined with an eye for detail, design and exceptional marketing talents—has made the high-end label a mainstream mainstay.

Manufactured solely in India, each piece of Dagmar-designed jewelry is handcrafted with only the finest quality stones and metals. A single piece of jewelry passes through no fewer than three different manufacturers before it is ready for worldwide distribution, and the moment that one collection hits the display rooms of upscale boutiques, production for the succeeding collection has already begun. The global impact of these semi-precious designs has seen the high-quality earrings, pendants, necklaces and bangles on display in high-end boutiques in the world’s fashion capitals: New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Paris, Dubai, Jakarta, and Mumbai, as well as a recently-opened flagship store in Kuwait.

A contrasting blend of architectural-inspired designs that fall under the sub-categories of Persian, Art Deco, Victorian chandelier earrings, necklace and pendant sets; and broad bangles/cuffs make up Dagmar’s collection. Dripping with semi-precious stones, pearls, gold and silver, the multifarious mix of each Dagmar collection holds at least one suitable piece of jewelry for every fashion-conscious woman. Ranging in extremes from elaborate, intricately-designed pieces categorically laced with sparkling stones and brilliantly-coloured quartz, to more simplistic pieces featuring a modern twist—like a singular fresh water pearl dangling from a cubic-zirconia encrusted earring base.

Adorning the bodies of Hollywood and Bollywood royalty alike, the chic, diverse mix of designs has seen prêt-a-port designers vying to use the modish Dagmar jewelry in their advertisements and runway shows to accentuate their garments. One particular necklace, a circular cascade of cubic zirconia ending in a drop-pendant and a delicately dangling pearl, was featured in Ralph Lauren ads that graced the pages of Vogue, Vanity Fair and other illustrious style-based magazines. Dagmar was recently promoted in the TorontoLife.com newsletter, had a feature in Desi News magazine, was mentioned in an article on SweetSpot.ca, and celebrated a media launch at Judy INC.

Sushma Kilachand, the endearing and enthusiastic young design yin to Pavan Anand’s design yang, brings additional accomplishments to the Dagmar table—primarily a degree in fashion design and marketing as well as her own high-end women’s and menswear line. Skillfully incorporating her clothing designs into the thought process when it comes to designing for Dagmar, Sushma Kilachand manages to successfully create fashion jewelry that adds to and ultimately complements her rich, detail-oriented garments: Beaded duoppionis, patterned silks, and luxurious bridal wear.

Actively involving both themselves and the company in countless charity events, it is encouraging to see that Dagmar is not just out to turn a profit. Anand and Kilachand strive to keep themselves socially conscious: Their steady, concerted effort to give back to the world sees both designers contributing hours of their time as well as designs to such causes as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Herbie Fund, the Trillium Fund and various other hospital and domestic violence foundations. The design duo of Pavan Anand and Sushma Kilachand are nothing short of refreshing, breathing a perpetual breath of effortlessly-styled Indian design and culture into the world of fashion. With what Anand and Kilachand have managed to accomplish in five short years, it is unfathomable for one to even begin to speculate as to what the two gifted designers will be able to accomplish once they have both realized and reached their full potential. Limited to a restraint that they could only ever place on themselves, the possibilities for these two designers are seemingly endless.

BY JACQUELINE PARRISH / PUBLISHED MAY 2010
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAGMAR,  PROVIDED BY SUSHMA KILACHAND

PHOTOS (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM):
FIRST: PERSIAN CHANDELIER EARRINGS WITH AN ANTIQUE GOLD WASH AND A BRIOLETTE YELLOW QUARTZ DROP
SECOND: A "NIZAM" STYLED OPEN-BANGLE WITH AUTHENTIC ANTIQUE ENAMEL WORK AND ROSE CUT QUARTZ, ALSO AVAILABLE IN GREEN
THIRD: CONTEMPORARY EARRINGS WITH EMBEDDED WOODWORK
FOURTH: EGYPTIAN FILIGREE CUFF WITH GREEN ONYX AND QUARTZ