(Top) Visitors try out costume jewellery at an exhibition organised at Shahid Nirmal Mahto Bhavan in Sonari. Bedsheets on display at the exhibition. Pictures by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, Aug. 9: Designs from the land of Bengal have made a style statement in the steel city.

Designer pendants and colourful costume jewellery to go with one’s favourite traditional outfit were the pick of the lot at the three-day handicraft fair inaugurated at Shahid Nirmal Mahto Bhavan in Jamshedpur.

Sharmishtha Mukherjee, a participant at the fair, housed items in heavy stones, which have been used to create the right effect for pendants.

There has also been a generous use of coloured stones, which have gone in the making of designer sets. Be it the optimum use of flashy material or the right mix of the bigger and smaller precious stones, her designer collection can certainly be termed envious. Taking a glimpse into the traditional attire of Assam, there is the mekhala, a two-piece sari worn by the local community. Designed in rich hues, the horizontal stripes and floral patterns actually give a different look to the person flaunting it.

“It looks very similar to the traditional sari.The look is made complete with a two-piece concept,” said Sharmishtha, explaining the concept of the designer wear.

At her stall one can also choose from a collection of elegant danglers to the more flashy accessories. Brought to the city by Sushrita Sinha, the four-day exhibition takes a look into Bengal’s own experiment with tradition.

Be it a glimpse of the more in-vogue light designs, there is also on offer a collection of the traditional heavy kantha stitch. Also displayed at the various counters are outfits rich in embroidery, that is a characteristic of Bengal.

Native to Calcutta, the collection is brought together by nine designers. The collection boasts of a rich mix of outfits, made special by the exclusive handmade patterns.

Be it the floral prints or human motifs, which have gone in the making of the bright designs on the pieces, the appliqué work also brings out the best in some pieces.

“We know more about people’s preference through such exhibitions, which gives us a fair idea of the stock which is to be brought the next time. Also, we try and introduce people to the developing trends,” said Sushrita Sinha, fresh from her stint at Bangalore.

The Calcutta-based organiser has also expressed interest in initiating talks with city-based boutique owners for proposed collaboration at a later date. The exhibition concludes on August 12.