JEWELLERY
AOL: What is your proudest career achievement so far?
AFJ: Honestly, just the fact the fact that I am able to work on the
dream that I had in university is so exciting that I have to pinch
myself.I just want to continue doing this work that I love and
meeting so many exciting people.
AOL: Gender equality and supporting other women seems to be an
integral part of the Ananya ethos, and personally important to you.
In your opinion, what more could - and should - we be collectively
doing to support and further this incredibly important cause?
AFJ: My core team consists of women. I do think that I work with
women very well and in my industry the women who I meet have
so much passion for their work and that inspires me to do my best
every single day. Our audience and customer is largely female and I
want to stay in tune with their needs, what better way than working
with people that can understand my customer?
These days there is a huge focus of feminism and gender equality
which is something that I am very passionate about, but there is also
a very prominent focus in celebrity media of pitting women against
each other as if we are all in competition with each other which
trickles down into society.
I hope to keep
supporting the women
around me and showing
this example of modern feminism through my campaigns. It is such
a pleasure to hear positive feedback with jewellery professionals
and my contemporaries whom I had always admired and I think that
this is how working professional relationships should be.
AOL: Which women inspire you the most and why? And who would
you most love to see wearing your designs?
AFJ: Amal Clooney is definitely a huge inspiration, she is a woman
who really does it all and is incredibly intelligent and accomplished.
The same applies to Indra Nooyi, one of the most powerful women
in the world and 4th wealthiest CEO. She was born in the same city
that I was and is an inspiration and a force to be reckoned with.
Other women I admire and who inspire me are actresses Felicity
Jones and Gal Gadot. I would be over the moon to see any of them
wearing my designs.
AOL: The past couple of years have seen brands from Topshop and
H&M to Gucci and Bvlgari accept and embrace social media, working
with influencers on everything from Instagram collaborations to
catwalk shows and ambassador programmes. Do you feel that this
approach is valuable to luxury brands? Is it something you hope/
plan on incorporating into your strategy for Ananya?
AFJ: Luxury brands have always felt unapproachable to many
people. Times have changed, an influencer that shares the same
beliefs and ideals allows a brand to connect to their community,
breaking down barriers and providing a platform to be understood
and appreciated. As and when I feel this opportunity is available I
will embrace it!
46
The Art of Luxury
Issue 36 2019