Behind the Brand: Deepa Gurnani
Summer should be a celebration—and that philosophy also applies to what you’re wearing! For this reason, we’ve stocked our Shoppe with playful pieces that are a pleasure to put on. A perfect example? A crop of newly added earrings by Deepa Gurnani!
From the moment we updated our offerings in The Shoppe for the season, these colorful, statement-making beaded earrings have been a huge hit with our members. We know you love the bold aesthetic of the brand, but the background story behind it will have you falling even harder! From the meet-cute of husband-and-wife founders Deepa and Jay—who connected on their impressive backgrounds in the design industry (she studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and beaded couture pieces for Alexander McQueen and Emanuel Ungaro and he studied jewelry design at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, training under head designers from Tiffany and Bvlgari)—to its ethical manufacturing practices, Deepa Gurnani is rooted in passion. And you can feel that in every handcrafted piece!
To offer a little more insight, we chatted with co-founder Jay Lakhani, who shared so many inspiring aspects of the brand—from how the couple is strengthened by their creative connection to the ways they empower their artisans. Learn all this and more ahead, then see a few of our favorite current styles, all of which are available now in The Shoppe for a members-only price! With those kind of savings, you’ll want a pair for every kind of summer look!
How did your separate backgrounds in (and passions for) design bring you together as partners in life as well as in business?
Deepa and I both knew we wanted to do something different when we started the brand. Our aesthetic was very similar from the day we met. Our mission was to do something for this planet and something something back to the world. We started this brand literally out of our living room as a passion project. Working to help these artisans preserve the craft of hand embroidery and working directly with them is what makes us happy!
In what ways does your cultural background influence the brand’s aesthetic?
The best embroidery in the world comes from India. India has a very strong background when it comes to this craft and we knew we needed to work hard to modernize this age-old craft. We use the influence of the East and give it a modern twist for the West.
Tell us about how the Deepa by Deepa Gurnani collection came to be.
Deepa by Deepa Gurnani is a more accessible collection, creating beautiful and easy-to-wear pieces for all occasions. Our artisans need work and in order to provide them with continuous work, we came up with this collection in 2016 to ensure them with a bright future. Our mission is to preserve the craft of hand embroidery as the brand ethos is about empowering artisans. Creating this line of accessible price points ensures the livelihood of these artisans.
Your jewelry is ethically handmade by artisans. Can you share why developing these relationships is so important?
Our artisans are valued and compensated for their skills. We ensure workers are paid above standard wages and invest in their well being. Health care is provided, education is sponsored, retirement benefits are afforded and housing arranged when necessary. Our goal is to make Deepa Gurnani a great organization in which to work and grow—this mission begins with a worker-first focus!
Our members are already loving these earrings! What are your favorite ways to see them styled for the season?
Deepa and I love the fact that our pieces can be worn day to night. Each person has their own individual style and we love seeing how each style gets interpreted. Whether you pair these earrings with a classic white t-shirt or dress them up with a simple black dress, everyone is sure to stand out with these statement pieces.
*Due to the handmade nature of our collection, colors and patterns may vary slightly from the image shown. Minor differences enhance the beauty and uniqueness of each style.