Dvibhumi - A Jewelry label and a home tour (an artist's abode)

Here is the final post of our trifecta for the month -the story of a jewelry designer and a self –made entrepreneur. We also get a peek into her beautiful home and we could not be happier to bring you this feature! Meet Vyshanvi -Founder-Designer of Dvibhumi (dvi-bhoo-mee), a Singapore-based jewelry label with a contemporary design philosophy rooted in Asian heritage. Today’s post is yet again, the story of hard work and dedication to a passion aka creative entrepreneurship. It is a tribute to an artist  who chose a novel medium (jewelry) to explore her love for music, culture and architecture and without hesitation took a creative plunge to follow her dreams

Aalayam fashionistas take note – you are in for a treat! I am honored to introduce you to a jewelry label that is urban and sophisticated with hints of tradition and history. So, if you are looking for a brand that allows you to express yourself fiercely no matter what your personality is then your search ends here! And yes, I get to bring you a tour of her  vibrant artistic Singapore abode as well and you are going to love it. So, read on….

Here is the fascinating story of Dvibhumi, the label in Vyshnavi’s own words …

Tirta - tusk earrings. Make a statement with a Dvibhumi piece!

“I launched Dvibhumi in 2014, translating my preoccupation with creative concepts, Asian cultures and the arts into contemporary wearable design that tells a story. Dvibhumi represents a stream of ideas flowing from two worlds: India, where I grew up, and South East Asia, where I live, work and travel. My work is off-trend and less concerned with the material nature of jewellery. Dvibhumi is made of intangible stories, memories and experiences that are intensely personal to me and to the wearers who connect with the same stories in some way.

I am also deeply motivated by a need to transcend exotic labels such as “ethnic”, “boho”, “traditional”, “antique” and “tribal” that constrain Asian jewelry design. With Dvibhumi, my effort has been to bring into sharp focus the inherent and often ignored modernity of Asian aesthetic, fully embracing its forms, details, textures and craftsmanship. Today all the excitement is around gold and there are very few designers doing something exciting with silver. The Silver Enthusiast isn’t catered to well enough and often settles for tired, recycled and mass-produced designs. Dvibhumi wants to reach out to a discerning, independent thinking Silver Enthusiast looking for good design stories in a metal that she adores.

Hindolam - a dvibhumi offering!

I started Dvibhumi with three collections, or stories, as I would like to call them: Kutcheri, Vibhuti and Ayu. Kutcheri is a term applied across South India to Carnatic Music Concerts. Kutcheri is a modern day ode to the iconic ornamentation style of great Carnatic divas such as MS Subbulakshmi. The series is a lighter take on the classic seven stone diamond stud that was MS’s signature style. Vibhuti is the Sanskrit word for holy ash, which describes the austere appearance of this collection. I’ve used an Indian jewellery staple – the jhumka – to tell a story inspired by the domes and fretwork of Islamic and Renaissance architecture. The result is a clean jhumka that brings into sharp focus the form and detail with no unnecessary embellishment – very different from regular jhumkas where the individual design elements are less distinct.

Atri - jhumkas with a difference!

Ayu means beautiful in Bahasa Indonesia. This collection uses traditional Indonesian silver-smithing techniques to capture the form and detail of Balinese shadow puppet theatre and worship. The series re-conceptualizes typical silhouettes such as the headdress, the tree of life, and the wings of the mythical Garuda, and the overwhelming textures of Bali’s sculptures and woodwork.

How to purchase

Dvibhumi’s E-Shop is always open, and ships worldwide. Just hop over to www.dvibhumi.com, and pay securely through your credit card or PayPal. If you’re not comfortable with that, Dvibhumi also accepts payments via online bank transfers. Just write to hello@dvibhumi.com with the link to the design you are keen on, and Vyshnavi will write back to you with the bank details.

And now on to what seems to be a favorite with Aalayam readers – a home tour! We were invited to Vyshnavi and Karthik’s vibrant, playful and inviting home and I was blown away by how stylish this space was. I am going to let Vyshnavi explain how this beautiful home came to be but do me a favor and pay attention to all the details will you? Art that makes a statement, colors that pop, fabrics that add interest – I clapped my hands in glee when I saw this cozy little gem of a home (I know I am a hard core home décor enthusiast!).  This home is also her art studio and this beautiful and clutter free backdrop is truly an artist’s inspiration. In her own words, “the home has evolved slowly and organically, which makes everything a bit less predictable” and I love that! This home is not dictated by trends but rather by passion and that is the kind of home that Aalayam loves to feature.

Here is the excerpt from our tete-a tete...

1) What makes your home "your home"? 

It is young, carefully considered, practical and constantly evolving. It’s just a very personal space filled with colors; textures and sounds that make us feel good.

2) Does the decor in your home fit the bill for any one particular style - if so, what drove you to that style?

We haven’t aspired to any prescribed home décor style and it isn’t something that came alive overnight. In fact, decorating a home hasn’t been the starting point at all. We started with what we’re interested in, and finding a place for it at home. The home has evolved slowly and organically, which makes everything a bit less predictable. I love indigenous arts and crafts, and the house has something of a folksy vibe going on. I was once looking up Tlingit art online, and somehow meandered my way to Mexican alebrije.

 I loved the blinding color, patterns, and subjects, and that’s how a Oaxacan coyote alebrije landed up in our living room. I found painted wooden door stoppers at a discount sale one day and bought several of them to create a wall mural using Blu-Tack. The Japanese woodblock print is by the legendary Ukiyo-e master Kuniyoshi. It’s something I researched extensively before we purchased it on our visit to Kyoto. We picked up a Turkish calligraphy piece from a friend who is also an art dealer when we were travelling in Istanbul, and it just fell into place right next to the Tanjore paintings of Ganesha and Subramanya which we had received as wedding gifts.

3) Who calls the design shots in your home?   

 My husband and I are both involved in putting the house together – it is a shared space after all!

4) How does your personal decor style influence your work professionally or the other way around?  

The home is also where I work, so quite naturally, both evolve from a very personal and inward looking approach to design and aesthetics. Both are grounded in stories, images and sounds that we grew up with in India and have a fondness for things that we come in contact with all over Asia, through our travels and our surroundings. There is a fascination for Asia, the respect for craftsmanship, a penchant for detailing and textures.

5) What are your favorite places to shop for your home? Are you budget savvy or would you rather own pieces that truly strike a chord with you even if they are expensive?

We gravitate more towards a laidback casual style, so there’s nothing lavish in our house. Our favourite places to shop are Ubud in Bali and Kyoto. But I love the internet even more! Ebay and Etsy are great for collectibles, and a Google search will show you a whole host of tiny standalone shops selling eccentricities. That’s how I found the Oaxacan Coyote. I’ve found some exciting art from emerging artists on Saatchi Online and I’ve picked up some excellent quality prints from 1000 Museums. Fuji Arts auctions Ukiyo-e prints, and I got a Chikanbou triptych reproduction from there. I also find myself frequently on online marketplaces like Novica. Good Earth is an eternal favourite for household linen. I also find Playclan’s work very interesting – I have an embroidered cushion from there. And although I haven’t bought anything from them, I love browsing One King’s Lane and Phantom Hands.

6) Where do you draw your online inspirations from - any favorite resources that you can share?

I don’t read too many home décor blogs. But I like Apartment Therapy for ideas on how to use space and shopping resources, and An Indian Summer and Once Upon a Tea Time for places to shop as well. They talk to people who like to mash things up a bit and styling a home with collectibles, and not indulge inwater tight themes. Oh, and Airbnb has some very creative spaces!

7) Home decorating is an arduous process – one that takes patience and a keen eye. What advice would you like to impart to our readers that want to create a cohesive, magazine like look without professional help? 

Our house is less about creative decoration and utilization of spaces and more about finding space for things we love. With that disclaimer out of the way, I have a few things to share. One, starting with ourselves instead of a magazine has helped us create a home that weathers changing trends and repeated expenses. Two, knowing our purchase interests at an intimate level has helped us evaluate our buys better. We buy fewer things; these are things we know we will value in the years to come. Three, things have taken time. We’ve learned to resist the urge to buy cute junk on impulse to fill spaces in a hurry. And finally, I believe creating an ambience with a part of oneself is always more fulfilling than mindless buying. If you have such leanings, go ahead and create repurpose, recycle, act out your artistic inclinations in the form of a mural. Commemorate a large collection of books, a movie fetish, or a wedding saree. Once you find what you are interested in, use available resources – magazines, home décor blogs and Pinterest – to bring it alive in the best possible manner.

8) What’s next for your beautiful home (studio)?

There isn’t much space left for things, so perhaps some new music and scents will be nice. Oh and we definitely need to make more space for Dvibhumi which is now taking up a lot of space at home with its inventory, paperwork and drawings. I also want to do something with a large Japanese parasol but I’m not sure what or when!

9) What's next for Dvibhumi?

I’ve just started, and although the response so far has been extremely encouraging, not many people really know of Dvibhumi. I really want to reach out to more people who will appreciate the ethos of Dvibhumi, not just in India, but also everywhere in the world. I also want to evolve the three streams (Kutcheri, Vibhuti and Ayu) to include other accessories such as necklaces!

There you go- the tres chic home of Vyshnavi and Karthik! A simple yet eye-catching space that seems to hit all the right notes to create a warm and inviting palette. I love taking note of what inspires people and drives their aesthetic sensibilities. There is always a lesson to be learnt if we care to pay attention and keep an open mind. Now for Dvibhumi, I am impressed – with the brand, the style, the artist’s vision, her inspiration, her philosophy and her goals for the brand and I see a very bright and successful future for Dvibhumi and it was indeed a privilege to introduce this brand to Aalayam readers. Thank you Vyshnavi and karthik for allowing us to stroll through your gorgeous home!

A special mention also to my dear friend Pooja for introducing me to Vyshnavi and making yet another home tour possible!

Cheers!

~Deepa

P.S: All images belong to the homeowner (and Dvibhumi). Please do not use without permission

Karmasuthra - Celebrating the Modern Indian Woman!

At Aalayam, we showcase everyday inspirations on design, décor, cuisine, and the cornucopia of cultural eclectics. As you know, Deepa and I are constantly on the look out for brands that can be a great showcase of everything we love about all these wonderful muses. 

We recently rediscovered a jewelry brand that we wanted to showcase on Aalayam because it had the visual and cerebral appeal of a "thinking woman's" brand. In the bargain, we chanced upon a warm rendezvous with the self-made entrepreneur who is lovingly nurturing the brand like a living force and scored a glorious peek into her home, her heart and her joie de vivre!

So, presenting to you "Karmasuthra" and it's catalyst creator - Divya Thomas!

Divya Thomas - Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Riveting, sensual, enigmatic and global in appeal, Karmasuthra Jewelry is a perfect homage to the modern Indian woman. We here at Aalayam, strongly espouse non-conformist style sensibilities, and this two part brand spotlight and artiste feature (yes - including a grand home tour) is not only a befitting ode to this new-age personal style statement, but is a veritable feast for the heart and the mind! 

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

I meet Divya Thomas on a gorgeous Saturday morning. She welcomes me into her home for breakfast, coffee and willing perspectives on all my questions. Clad in a crisp white chikan kurta, and almost no jewelry, Divya's kohl lined eyes and ingenuous features add to her enigmatic personality.  Divya is waiting for me at the door of her home. And instantly we connect. There is no reserve or reticence..just warmth and welcome. I will wax eloquent about her home, and my sensory revelations during the home tour in the next post, but now, lets talk about her brain child - Karmasuthra.

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

The burning question in my mind was the reason behind the name Karmasuthra. I had to get that question out of the way, so I asked Divya. Why the name Karmasuthra? Was it a bold and evocative play on words? Or did it actually speak to the essence of the brand?

To which, Divya had a straight and simple response. "The name "Karmasuthra" has a sensual appeal.. it sounds just right for the brand."

Here's how: "Karma" is the Sanskrit word for "Fate". And an allusion to "What goes around comes around". What started as a germ of an idea to launch a jewelry brand with the name "Karma", evolved into "Karmasuthra" with the inclusion of the suffix "Suthra". "Suthra" is the bind that holds things together. "Karma + Suthra, it just sounded right". 

I agree. Propitiously named, the jewelry line is indeed a confluence of the colors, textures, artifacts and curiosities, all held together with the providence of hand-crafted patterns.

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Then we traversed through Divya's creative process of the nurturing Karmasuthra's eye-catching product line. The bottom-line was simple: 

Loads of inspiration + Loads of Coffee, spark the conception of these one-of-a-kind pieces, born as a labor of love in Divya's workshop (workshop picture sneak peek, at the bottom of this article).

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Divya says "I dream up my daily dose of inspiration. There are days I wake up with a thought, an idea, and run down to the kitchen to make coffee. Then I play, with the colors, shapes, designs and textures...I have fun with the process, I feel the energy and I create!"...

This utterly joyful "reach into the soul and create" process shows! It shows in the fluid detail and nuances of Karmasuthra designs. "Whether it is the front of a necklace or the back, I want the piece to look beautiful, like it has a life of its own, a personality to remember it by" Divya elucidates.

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

For Divya, there are no rules, no playbook, no conformist guidelines, when it comes to her passion of Karmasuthra design. She mixes and matches textures, media and material:  silver, lapiz, porcelain, beads, rightfully sourced cuspids and pincers in a glorious orgy of earthy unanimity. (Animals are not harmed for the sourcing, Karmasuthra does not obtain material sourced from endangered species, or via contraband medium)

The designs come from the creative recesses of her mind, her heart and fills her and her customers with a whole new level of confidence..to embrace their sensuality and rule the world!

The much in demand nose-pin, and the aquiline, evocative beauties, whose lives Karmasuthra has touched!

The whole process of designing the line is therapeutic for Divya. I can relate. Creating a thing of beauty can be an everyday joy. To see her customers aglow with a Karmasuthra necklace or a "jhumka" or an anklet, invigorates Divya to spread the positive energy she always derives from, and associates with, her work. 

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Karmasuthra jewelry is primarily handcrafted by Divya. The material is sourced from all over the world. Bold and vibrant Turkish accessories, beads from traditional African markets or Native American rosaries that come "blessed" with spiritual energy are refashioned with love and finesse in the creative zen workshop. 

Divya can most often be found immersed in her work, accompanied by soulful music (click here to listen to what Divya's currently listening to) and a glass of wine to rev up the creative process. 

Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

I asked Divya about how she communicates with her demographic (buyers and aspiring buyers), how she translates their needs into a Karmasuthra style statement. Divya has got the mix of "push" and "pull" marketing right. She says "I style individual, statement pieces for my customers, but most of the time, its the jhumka or the necklace or the anklet that is calling out..to be loved, cherished and owned". 

Divya Thomas - The creator and the nurturing force behind Karmasuthra
Picture Courtesy and Copyrights - Karmasuthra Jewelry (c).

Karmasuthra started as an avocation for Divya, and it turned into a passion that is currently dominating her creative world. So I asked Divya if she had anything to share with the DIY jewelry enthusiasts and beaders. To which Divya replied:

"Have no second thoughts, no second guesses. If you fall, dust yourself and move on. At least you tried."

Divya's workshop/hidey hole/creative space. Where the magic happens!

Look out for the evocative "Kamagni - Inspired by Fire, Lust, Love and Desire" - Karmasuthra's latest line that imbues passion in every hand crafted bead. And, watch this space for an exclusive home tour (you don't want to miss this) and a heart-to-heart with Divya Thomas..for together Divya and Karmasuthra symbolize:

A true celebration of the Modern Indian Woman.

A warm THANK YOU to Divya for letting us into her home, and sharing her refreshing and energizing perspectives with the Aalayam family!

On popular demand, Karmasuthra jewelry can be ordered via the Facebook Page of the brand.

Love,
Supriya