Jewellery, an expression of emotion, an adornment transforming into personality and a unique way of celebrating life, is even more special when a jewellery designer extends his/her perception into the design, which truly makes it a statement piece. Vouching for this fact is the young and lively designer from the capital city, Delhi, Pooja Juneja. Pooja Juneja’s jewellery designs are young, exuberant, and stylish yet in sync with our rich history. Made with love for today’s urban woman, Pooja has caught the pulse of our changing times and brings forth designs that are inimitable. When asked her about her foray into the world of jewellery she says, “I am in this industry by accident but it feels like I was born to be a part of it. I come from a family of business professionals, doctors and engineers. But, I always had an inclination towards art. I was a science student and did Maths Hons from Delhi University and then an MBA in Marketing followed by a Diploma in Communications. It was only after my marriage did I go to Japan, where my husband, Manik was then working as a Software Engineer. There, I was selected to undergo the design course under the able guidance of the famous Japanese Designer, Kazuko Araki.My academic background has been the foundation and I soon realised that to survive as a designer and entrepreneur in this industry dominated by those who are in it for generations I needed end-to-end knowledge and hence I did a course of Gemology and Diamond Grading from IGI, Delhi. I topped the course and soon started taking special lectures at the institute. Most of my students were jewellers who in return taught me the rules and tricks of the trade, an area so well guarded by them. It was a win-win for both; I learnt the tricks of the trade from them while I taught them the technical aspects.There has been no stopping me since then, though there have been hurdles but I believe every hurdle has become a stepping stone to something bigger.”%% Love for art and craft since a tender age was prominent in Pooja’s life and it is a known fact that the arty kinds are always fuelled by inspiration from the most mundane of things that commoners would not give a second thought to it. This stands true for Pooja as well who comes from the design school which lays foundation on the fact that all design solutions are available in nature. “Mother earth has taken million of years to create so who else can offer better design solution and inspiration? This science of design is also known as Biomimicry. For example the bullet train in Japan takes the inspiration from the kingfisher bird which travels from one medium (air) to another medium (water), catches its prey that is a fish and is back in air without creating any ripple. Similarly the bullet train moves from land to air, since it works on Magnetic Levitation, and back on the track on the same concept and so the face of the bullet train is like the beak of the kingfisher,” she explains. %% “To take a step further we do an extensive study and research of how historical events in the past have affected cultures, dressing, etc. and how we as humans of different cultures have evolved. For example, the World War I made a major impact on the dressing of women who started dressing more like men and wearing wrist watch (a sign of power) only around 1920’s when the role of women became more powerful,” she adds. %%

With such strong basics instilled in her mind, it is no surprise then that Pooja has already created headlines in the industry with no family background to support her. This has been a great feat indeed but Pooja is as down-to-earth and humble as she was a few years back when she was just a student. It is interesting to note that about 10 years back Pooja started her company by the name Lambent Creations but soon her name Pooja Juneja started overshadowing the firm’s name and started being recognised by her name and about five years back she re-branded the studio as Pooja Juneja - Simply Creative Designer Jewellery. Pooja is not only a designer but is also a special lecturer at the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology, which is an accolade in itself. She was also awarded the Entrepreneurship award by Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, presented to her byUnion Minister of State (Ministry of Power) Jyotiraditya Scindia for her contribution in the trade. %% Sharing some of the incidents of her life that have shaped her not only as a designer but as a better person as well, she articulates, “While I was learning design at Kazuko Araki School of Design, we were taught to make accessories like Brooches and Scarves etc. out of a piece of cloth. The cloth or net used was not available in the market so we had to make that using a technique for which my sensei(teacher in Japanese) holds a patent. This technique uses surgical dissolvable paper to make cloth. This is very unique and so I once asked Araki that wasn’t she insecure or worried teaching so many people the craft as it may be copied easily. To this she smiled and said, ‘you learn much more by giving. They can learn an art from an artist and can copy your idea but not creativity.’Another incident that comes to mind is what happened to me when I went to Mumbai Opera House for buying diamonds for the first time. In the trade language it is called the ‘Table’. So, I was on this table of a very reputed company. They had put my demand on the board, so I was waiting for the vendors to come in and show me the diamonds. There was a CCTV and we could see that there were many vendors outside, but nobody was entering to show us the diamonds. The person who’s office I was in, finally stepped out and asked the vendors why they were not coming in to show the diamonds. Their reply was very funny. They said that they thought that the buyer whose demand was put on the board outside was still to come. When the vendors were told that the buyer was already there and they pointed towards me, the vendors started laughing. They said, “Are yeh to ladies hain”. Then they explained that since most of the buyers are men, the vendors though that the lady sitting inside is some family member and the business will start after she leaves. Seeing a lady inside, they were hesitant to even enter the office. This incident helped cement my resolve that I would make a place for myself not only as a designer but even in this male dominated field of diamond trading. Now I have been buying from Mumbai regularly and I get some great deals by buying from the right source, which helps me, price my jewellery very competitively.” %%

Every designer has a muse and has that special someone who they would love to see their jewellery adorned by. When asked about Pooja’s muse, pat comes the reply. “I’ve grown up admiring Audrey Hepburn and Elizbeth Taylor so if I can go back in history it would definitely be them. But then there are so many style icons from the past like Maharani Gayatri devi, Princess Diana and in the present times there is Julie Roberts, Sonam Kapoor and Queen Rania.” Talking about her favourite metal to work with, she explains, “Yellow gold. I find it the easiest and no nonsense metal for hand-made pieces of jewellery. For CAD I prefer white gold as the finish is absolutely fantastic.” %% Being a woman who is surrounded by jewellery, we quizzed her if she loves to adorn her jewellery too? To that she articulates, “When it comes to daily wear where I stick to solitaires which I feel for every modern woman are like the Little Black Dress in your wardrobe and you can’t go wrong with it. When it comes to evenings or special occasions I prefer statement pieces, one statement piece to define your mood or occasion does the trick. I love adorning Indian jewellery, the typical jadau or all gold for special occasions are pieces I have fortunately inherited form my grandmother, and a few gifted from my mom and mom-in-law.I really enjoy observing women dressed up on occasions and often come across some very stylish and well dressed women who carry off jewellery very beautifully but at times I wish to become a stylist for those who carry the whole locker of jewellery on them to flaunt and look like a Christmas tree and mess up all the pieces together,” she chuckles. %% For a lady like Pooja Juneja, free time is a luxury and we were sure that she would spend it very wisely. To probe more into it, we asked her about her hobbies and her free time and we were pleasantly surprised to know that she is a mother of two beautiful daughters and she ensures that she is there for them at all times needed. Right from getting them ready for school to helping in their everyday homework, Pooja makes sure she has enough time for her little girls. And, apart from her duties as a mother, designer, entrepreneur and lecturer, she is woman who loves her long drives, classic movies and travelling. %% On a closing note, she has a vital advice for budding designers who aspire to create a benchmark in the industry. “Design is not about sketching alone, it is extremely important to research about your inspiration and add such aspects to your design that make your design immortal.Also end-to-end knowledge of design, manufacturing, gemology, and sales is equally important for a good designer, as you can’t design in watertight compartment. It is vital to keep ergonomics and economics in mind while designing therefore it is safe to say that profound knowledge is the foundation of design,” she concludes. %%

Jewellery, an expression of emotion, an adornment transforming into personality and a unique way of celebrating life, is even more special when a jewellery designer extends his/her perception into the design, which truly makes it a statement piece. Vouching for this fact is the young and lively designer from the capital city, Delhi, Pooja Juneja. Pooja Juneja’s jewellery designs are young, exuberant, and stylish yet in sync with our rich history. Made with love for today’s urban woman, Pooja has caught the pulse of our changing times and brings forth designs that are inimitable. When asked her about her foray into the world of jewellery she says, “I am in this industry by accident but it feels like I was born to be a part of it. I come from a family of business professionals, doctors and engineers. But, I always had an inclination towards art. I was a science student and did Maths Hons from Delhi University and then an MBA in Marketing followed by a Diploma in Communications. It was only after my marriage did I go to Japan, where my husband, Manik was then working as a Software Engineer. There, I was selected to undergo the design course under the able guidance of the famous Japanese Designer, Kazuko Araki.My academic background has been the foundation and I soon realised that to survive as a designer and entrepreneur in this industry dominated by those who are in it for generations I needed end-to-end knowledge and hence I did a course of Gemology and Diamond Grading from IGI, Delhi. I topped the course and soon started taking special lectures at the institute. Most of my students were jewellers who in return taught me the rules and tricks of the trade, an area so well guarded by them. It was a win-win for both; I learnt the tricks of the trade from them while I taught them the technical aspects.There has been no stopping me since then, though there have been hurdles but I believe every hurdle has become a stepping stone to something bigger.”%% Love for art and craft since a tender age was prominent in Pooja’s life and it is a known fact that the arty kinds are always fuelled by inspiration from the most mundane of things that commoners would not give a second thought to it. This stands true for Pooja as well who comes from the design school which lays foundation on the fact that all design solutions are available in nature. “Mother earth has taken million of years to create so who else can offer better design solution and inspiration? This science of design is also known as Biomimicry. For example the bullet train in Japan takes the inspiration from the kingfisher bird which travels from one medium (air) to another medium (water), catches its prey that is a fish and is back in air without creating any ripple. Similarly the bullet train moves from land to air, since it works on Magnetic Levitation, and back on the track on the same concept and so the face of the bullet train is like the beak of the kingfisher,” she explains. %% “To take a step further we do an extensive study and research of how historical events in the past have affected cultures, dressing, etc. and how we as humans of different cultures have evolved. For example, the World War I made a major impact on the dressing of women who started dressing more like men and wearing wrist watch (a sign of power) only around 1920’s when the role of women became more powerful,” she adds. %%

With such strong basics instilled in her mind, it is no surprise then that Pooja has already created headlines in the industry with no family background to support her. This has been a great feat indeed but Pooja is as down-to-earth and humble as she was a few years back when she was just a student. It is interesting to note that about 10 years back Pooja started her company by the name Lambent Creations but soon her name Pooja Juneja started overshadowing the firm’s name and started being recognised by her name and about five years back she re-branded the studio as Pooja Juneja - Simply Creative Designer Jewellery. Pooja is not only a designer but is also a special lecturer at the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology, which is an accolade in itself. She was also awarded the Entrepreneurship award by Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, presented to her byUnion Minister of State (Ministry of Power) Jyotiraditya Scindia for her contribution in the trade. %% Sharing some of the incidents of her life that have shaped her not only as a designer but as a better person as well, she articulates, “While I was learning design at Kazuko Araki School of Design, we were taught to make accessories like Brooches and Scarves etc. out of a piece of cloth. The cloth or net used was not available in the market so we had to make that using a technique for which my sensei(teacher in Japanese) holds a patent. This technique uses surgical dissolvable paper to make cloth. This is very unique and so I once asked Araki that wasn’t she insecure or worried teaching so many people the craft as it may be copied easily. To this she smiled and said, ‘you learn much more by giving. They can learn an art from an artist and can copy your idea but not creativity.’Another incident that comes to mind is what happened to me when I went to Mumbai Opera House for buying diamonds for the first time. In the trade language it is called the ‘Table’. So, I was on this table of a very reputed company. They had put my demand on the board, so I was waiting for the vendors to come in and show me the diamonds. There was a CCTV and we could see that there were many vendors outside, but nobody was entering to show us the diamonds. The person who’s office I was in, finally stepped out and asked the vendors why they were not coming in to show the diamonds. Their reply was very funny. They said that they thought that the buyer whose demand was put on the board outside was still to come. When the vendors were told that the buyer was already there and they pointed towards me, the vendors started laughing. They said, “Are yeh to ladies hain”. Then they explained that since most of the buyers are men, the vendors though that the lady sitting inside is some family member and the business will start after she leaves. Seeing a lady inside, they were hesitant to even enter the office. This incident helped cement my resolve that I would make a place for myself not only as a designer but even in this male dominated field of diamond trading. Now I have been buying from Mumbai regularly and I get some great deals by buying from the right source, which helps me, price my jewellery very competitively.” %%

Every designer has a muse and has that special someone who they would love to see their jewellery adorned by. When asked about Pooja’s muse, pat comes the reply. “I’ve grown up admiring Audrey Hepburn and Elizbeth Taylor so if I can go back in history it would definitely be them. But then there are so many style icons from the past like Maharani Gayatri devi, Princess Diana and in the present times there is Julie Roberts, Sonam Kapoor and Queen Rania.” Talking about her favourite metal to work with, she explains, “Yellow gold. I find it the easiest and no nonsense metal for hand-made pieces of jewellery. For CAD I prefer white gold as the finish is absolutely fantastic.” %% Being a woman who is surrounded by jewellery, we quizzed her if she loves to adorn her jewellery too? To that she articulates, “When it comes to daily wear where I stick to solitaires which I feel for every modern woman are like the Little Black Dress in your wardrobe and you can’t go wrong with it. When it comes to evenings or special occasions I prefer statement pieces, one statement piece to define your mood or occasion does the trick. I love adorning Indian jewellery, the typical jadau or all gold for special occasions are pieces I have fortunately inherited form my grandmother, and a few gifted from my mom and mom-in-law.I really enjoy observing women dressed up on occasions and often come across some very stylish and well dressed women who carry off jewellery very beautifully but at times I wish to become a stylist for those who carry the whole locker of jewellery on them to flaunt and look like a Christmas tree and mess up all the pieces together,” she chuckles. %% For a lady like Pooja Juneja, free time is a luxury and we were sure that she would spend it very wisely. To probe more into it, we asked her about her hobbies and her free time and we were pleasantly surprised to know that she is a mother of two beautiful daughters and she ensures that she is there for them at all times needed. Right from getting them ready for school to helping in their everyday homework, Pooja makes sure she has enough time for her little girls. And, apart from her duties as a mother, designer, entrepreneur and lecturer, she is woman who loves her long drives, classic movies and travelling. %% On a closing note, she has a vital advice for budding designers who aspire to create a benchmark in the industry. “Design is not about sketching alone, it is extremely important to research about your inspiration and add such aspects to your design that make your design immortal.Also end-to-end knowledge of design, manufacturing, gemology, and sales is equally important for a good designer, as you can’t design in watertight compartment. It is vital to keep ergonomics and economics in mind while designing therefore it is safe to say that profound knowledge is the foundation of design,” she concludes. %%

Jewellery, an expression of emotion, an adornment transforming into personality and a unique way of celebrating life, is even more special when a jewellery designer extends his/her perception into the design, which truly makes it a statement piece. Vouching for this fact is the young and lively designer from the capital city, Delhi, Pooja Juneja. Pooja Juneja’s jewellery designs are young, exuberant, and stylish yet in sync with our rich history. Made with love for today’s urban woman, Pooja has caught the pulse of our changing times and brings forth designs that are inimitable. When asked her about her foray into the world of jewellery she says, “I am in this industry by accident but it feels like I was born to be a part of it. I come from a family of business professionals, doctors and engineers. But, I always had an inclination towards art. I was a science student and did Maths Hons from Delhi University and then an MBA in Marketing followed by a Diploma in Communications. It was only after my marriage did I go to Japan, where my husband, Manik was then working as a Software Engineer. There, I was selected to undergo the design course under the able guidance of the famous Japanese Designer, Kazuko Araki.My academic background has been the foundation and I soon realised that to survive as a designer and entrepreneur in this industry dominated by those who are in it for generations I needed end-to-end knowledge and hence I did a course of Gemology and Diamond Grading from IGI, Delhi. I topped the course and soon started taking special lectures at the institute. Most of my students were jewellers who in return taught me the rules and tricks of the trade, an area so well guarded by them. It was a win-win for both; I learnt the tricks of the trade from them while I taught them the technical aspects.There has been no stopping me since then, though there have been hurdles but I believe every hurdle has become a stepping stone to something bigger.”%% Love for art and craft since a tender age was prominent in Pooja’s life and it is a known fact that the arty kinds are always fuelled by inspiration from the most mundane of things that commoners would not give a second thought to it. This stands true for Pooja as well who comes from the design school which lays foundation on the fact that all design solutions are available in nature. “Mother earth has taken million of years to create so who else can offer better design solution and inspiration? This science of design is also known as Biomimicry. For example the bullet train in Japan takes the inspiration from the kingfisher bird which travels from one medium (air) to another medium (water), catches its prey that is a fish and is back in air without creating any ripple. Similarly the bullet train moves from land to air, since it works on Magnetic Levitation, and back on the track on the same concept and so the face of the bullet train is like the beak of the kingfisher,” she explains. %% “To take a step further we do an extensive study and research of how historical events in the past have affected cultures, dressing, etc. and how we as humans of different cultures have evolved. For example, the World War I made a major impact on the dressing of women who started dressing more like men and wearing wrist watch (a sign of power) only around 1920’s when the role of women became more powerful,” she adds. %%

With such strong basics instilled in her mind, it is no surprise then that Pooja has already created headlines in the industry with no family background to support her. This has been a great feat indeed but Pooja is as down-to-earth and humble as she was a few years back when she was just a student. It is interesting to note that about 10 years back Pooja started her company by the name Lambent Creations but soon her name Pooja Juneja started overshadowing the firm’s name and started being recognised by her name and about five years back she re-branded the studio as Pooja Juneja - Simply Creative Designer Jewellery. Pooja is not only a designer but is also a special lecturer at the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology, which is an accolade in itself. She was also awarded the Entrepreneurship award by Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, presented to her byUnion Minister of State (Ministry of Power) Jyotiraditya Scindia for her contribution in the trade. %% Sharing some of the incidents of her life that have shaped her not only as a designer but as a better person as well, she articulates, “While I was learning design at Kazuko Araki School of Design, we were taught to make accessories like Brooches and Scarves etc. out of a piece of cloth. The cloth or net used was not available in the market so we had to make that using a technique for which my sensei(teacher in Japanese) holds a patent. This technique uses surgical dissolvable paper to make cloth. This is very unique and so I once asked Araki that wasn’t she insecure or worried teaching so many people the craft as it may be copied easily. To this she smiled and said, ‘you learn much more by giving. They can learn an art from an artist and can copy your idea but not creativity.’Another incident that comes to mind is what happened to me when I went to Mumbai Opera House for buying diamonds for the first time. In the trade language it is called the ‘Table’. So, I was on this table of a very reputed company. They had put my demand on the board, so I was waiting for the vendors to come in and show me the diamonds. There was a CCTV and we could see that there were many vendors outside, but nobody was entering to show us the diamonds. The person who’s office I was in, finally stepped out and asked the vendors why they were not coming in to show the diamonds. Their reply was very funny. They said that they thought that the buyer whose demand was put on the board outside was still to come. When the vendors were told that the buyer was already there and they pointed towards me, the vendors started laughing. They said, “Are yeh to ladies hain”. Then they explained that since most of the buyers are men, the vendors though that the lady sitting inside is some family member and the business will start after she leaves. Seeing a lady inside, they were hesitant to even enter the office. This incident helped cement my resolve that I would make a place for myself not only as a designer but even in this male dominated field of diamond trading. Now I have been buying from Mumbai regularly and I get some great deals by buying from the right source, which helps me, price my jewellery very competitively.” %%

Every designer has a muse and has that special someone who they would love to see their jewellery adorned by. When asked about Pooja’s muse, pat comes the reply. “I’ve grown up admiring Audrey Hepburn and Elizbeth Taylor so if I can go back in history it would definitely be them. But then there are so many style icons from the past like Maharani Gayatri devi, Princess Diana and in the present times there is Julie Roberts, Sonam Kapoor and Queen Rania.” Talking about her favourite metal to work with, she explains, “Yellow gold. I find it the easiest and no nonsense metal for hand-made pieces of jewellery. For CAD I prefer white gold as the finish is absolutely fantastic.” %% Being a woman who is surrounded by jewellery, we quizzed her if she loves to adorn her jewellery too? To that she articulates, “When it comes to daily wear where I stick to solitaires which I feel for every modern woman are like the Little Black Dress in your wardrobe and you can’t go wrong with it. When it comes to evenings or special occasions I prefer statement pieces, one statement piece to define your mood or occasion does the trick. I love adorning Indian jewellery, the typical jadau or all gold for special occasions are pieces I have fortunately inherited form my grandmother, and a few gifted from my mom and mom-in-law.I really enjoy observing women dressed up on occasions and often come across some very stylish and well dressed women who carry off jewellery very beautifully but at times I wish to become a stylist for those who carry the whole locker of jewellery on them to flaunt and look like a Christmas tree and mess up all the pieces together,” she chuckles. %% For a lady like Pooja Juneja, free time is a luxury and we were sure that she would spend it very wisely. To probe more into it, we asked her about her hobbies and her free time and we were pleasantly surprised to know that she is a mother of two beautiful daughters and she ensures that she is there for them at all times needed. Right from getting them ready for school to helping in their everyday homework, Pooja makes sure she has enough time for her little girls. And, apart from her duties as a mother, designer, entrepreneur and lecturer, she is woman who loves her long drives, classic movies and travelling. %% On a closing note, she has a vital advice for budding designers who aspire to create a benchmark in the industry. “Design is not about sketching alone, it is extremely important to research about your inspiration and add such aspects to your design that make your design immortal.Also end-to-end knowledge of design, manufacturing, gemology, and sales is equally important for a good designer, as you can’t design in watertight compartment. It is vital to keep ergonomics and economics in mind while designing therefore it is safe to say that profound knowledge is the foundation of design,” she concludes. %%