S leek, smart and contemporary. Jewellery label Her Story narrates many tales. They have recently launched a flagship store in Kala Ghoda in Mumbai, and to mark the occasion, have conceptualised a collection series featuring various muses like Twinkle Khanna, Sobhita Dhulipala, Anoushka Shankar and Kalki Koechlin. The Telegraph caught up with Kalki who is the face of the ‘Born to Fly’ collection, which has the mantra of ‘freedom’ at its core. Wings feature prominently in this collection, defined in delicate details.
Your association with Her Story seems to be a seamless match...
Yes, when Her Story approached me for the ‘Born To Fly’ collection, which celebrates the freespiritedness of a woman, there was an instant connect with it. I loved that my first meeting with the brand had the word freedom in it, and also the idea of doing things which aren’t what society expects of you. Especially when it comes to a jewellery brand, we have a tendency to think of beauty in a very limited fashion and Her Story was ready to expand that idea of beauty, which was really inspiring and fit in perfectly with what I truly believe.
Kalki in the Her Story campaign
We love the name. What does ‘Her Story’ bring to mind instantly?
‘Her Story’ brings to mind all the women’s stories that we need to tell, women’s names that we need to remember — those who suffered, those who died, those who fought, also those who have succeeded, those who are succeeding, who are leading different paths.
Tell us what you loved about the pieces...
I loved the movement in the pieces, some of the pieces physically move. Some of the feathers are like bird’s wings and that’s really cool for jewellery.
The campaign is quite a statement. What does ‘Born to Fly’ truly signify?
It’s such a pleasure to be a part of this refreshing campaign that opens up a dialogue on ideas of modernity through personal, unfiltered perspectives of women. Her Story is a fine jewellery maison that uses human insighting and design thinking to build collections inspired by the perspectives of modern women. I love the ease with which the pieces can be worn, and the movement in some of the designs. I’m happy to be the face of their Born to Fly collection, which celebrates the free-spiritedness of a woman who lives life on her own terms.
The pandemic taught us never to take our freedom for granted. What are the things that you no longer take for granted in life?
Personal space and boundaries. Something as simple as having family knock on the door before entering, or carving out time for reading and writing.
In general, what kind of jewellery do you like?
In general I like minimalist jewellery, but then it depends on the outfit.
What are your most precious buys over the years, which hold a memory in them?
I always like to rummage through vintage stores when I’m in places like New York or Paris because they usually have a story behind them, the time in which they were made. So I like to look for unique pieces like that. And I have, you know, a favourite vintage Kenzo jacket. I have a piece of jewellery which has a sunflower. It’s a ring with a sunflower that has been dried into the metal, which I also love.
If you were to gift yourself a piece, what would you pick?
I think one of my favourite pieces was the bracelet, which also has wings on it.
Who’s the jewel of your life?
Of course, Sappho (daughter) is the jewel of my life. She is just, just pure gold.
‘Her Story’ can as well be your autobiography. What sums up Kalki’s story?
I don’t think I can sum up my story yet, because I’m still alive, still moving, still evolving. I’d like it to continue, it’s an ongoing story.
Picture: Instagram