Know Bibhu
Date of birth: 7.6.1973
Was born in: Rourkela, Odisha
Studied at: Patha Vidyalaya School and Municipal College in Rourkela; masters in Economics at Utah State University; Fashion Institute of Technology, New York
Bibhu Mohapatra is in town. Yes, the Bibhu Mohapatra who dresses the likes of Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett and Lupita Nyong’o. What has brought him to Calcutta though is not clothes, but jewellery. The New York-based fashion designer will launch today a jewellery line that he has put together for Forevermark. We caught up with Bibhu over email...
What about the ‘interstellar’ theme attracted you to do a line, to begin with?
Our Vedic scriptures emphasise on how the alignment of the sun, moon and stars influence the way two people interact with each other and how the bond between them is created. I was always intrigued by this concept and was very inspired.
How different is the extension of The Forevermark Artemis Collection from your debut collection for Forevermark?
The extension collection is an organic flow of the design concept that we had planned to unveil in different intervals of time. This creative journey with Forevermark has many chapters that are yet to be unveiled and introduced as we establish Artemis to the audience worldwide. Forevermark diamonds are the most beautiful diamonds in the world. Their unique inscription number on each diamond is an assurance of beauty, rarity and integrity. The sparkle of each Forevermark will continue to dominate on all the designs of Artemis.
Artemis is a goddess, the daughter of Zeus and sister of Apollo. She was a huntress and is typically depicted with a bow and arrows. Do we find a reflection of her spirit in the range?
Artemis has many representations as a strong, warrior-like persona who is also an integral part of the Greek constellation charts. I am always inspired by strong, independent women and I have always loved the idea of Artemis.
How do women perceive jewellery nowadays? And how different is it from our earlier generations?
One of the main differences of perception of jewellery is that fine jewellery does not always have to be for special occasion or a status symbol. Today’s woman is using jewellery as style-enhancers to complete her day-to-day look. That is why the modernity of fine jewellery is so sought-after these days.
My friend Daphne Guinness (British-Irish fashionista), at a common friend’s birthday party. She was completely clad in amazing art-deco Cartier pieces, simply stunning. Her one arm was all filled with collapsible pieces of diamond jewellery.
What are your earliest memories of jewellery?
I believe jewellery has the incredible capacity of telling stories, of generations past and generations to come. When I was 10 or 11 years old, my mother once showed me a bundle of family heirloom jewellery that she had inherited. They were beautiful and to me the most special attribute was they made me feel like as if I had met all the women in my family of the past generations who wore those pieces and passed their stories along with them to the generations after. Priceless!
Diamonds = “mystical, empowering and tell stories of their own” for you. Can you elaborate?
A diamond is Forever, they may have different owners or admirers but their longevity is their strength and that is why they can tell stories along with their journey through generations of hands. They are empowering as they bring confidence to the wearer.
What are your other jewel loves?
I love antique French and Indian jewllery.
The Forevermark Artemis Collection revolves around sun, moon and stars. What do you think are the sun, moon and stars of the jewellery world?
Diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. In that order.
What is on your must-do list when in Calcutta?
Calcutta is my first love. The city inspired me at an early age and it still does. The amazing museums, gardens, the local biryani at Shiraz, and a complete Bangla meal at Oh! Calcutta. Academy of Fine Arts and the Indian Museum are a must-see.
FIRST LADY LUCK!
Who would you rather dress — Michelle Obama or Lady Gaga, we had asked Bibhu Mohapatra back in 2010. He picked Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama made that wish a reality pretty soon when she wore him to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2012. Back home, it was a moment of pride when in 2015 Michelle Obama stepped into India in a Bibhu Mohapatra poppy-print dress and coat (picture left), Barack Obama on her arm.
“You know, it’s already a big honour if the First Lady likes to wear your clothes but to arrive in India in my outfit was surreal.... I thought maybe she might wear it to the parade. I completely forgot that the arrival is the biggest moment. And then she gets off that aircraft. A billion eyes on her... in a very small way, my work became part of that history. Those images are going to be there forever....” Bibhu told us later.
Saionee Chakraborty
