Simply glam

Manpriya Singh

There is no dearth of personal questions to ask Rhea Pillai. Past couple of years, life for the former model has also meant a few unfortunate key words; which include former partner Leander Paes, a court case and a custody battle. It would be a little incongruous to look back and cover any part of that ground, with the lady looking forward to so much in life, starting with her latest project, Temple House.

“By the way, my daughter came up with the name,” she gets started with her latest venture.

“Temple House is starting with clothes, but slowly I plan to extend it to accessories and events,” she says of the exhibition bringing her to Chandigarh, along with close friend Queenie Singh.

On display are a rather limited set of pieces comprising all Indian fabric and semi- stitched material in chikan work and mukaish and colourful brocades with classic motifs associated with the weave.

Life these days

Ask her what occupies most of the day, besides teaching with The Art of Living. “My daughter Aiyana is all of 10… She was in the news a lot lately,” she nods and that pretty much answers quiet a lot. But right now, “I’m having fun with this and I’m in a great space and I want to do so much in life.” We leave it at that.

Glamour is her middle name

Any or all of the labels put together could define Queenie Singh—former model, businesswomen, designer, socialite; but what perhaps describes her the most (if not the best) is “all things unapologetically glamourous”. Pretty much like the jewels she creates. “My pieces are very party wear, statement and glamorous,” she says of her yet another exhibition brought to the city, a bi-annual feature now.

On display are her characteristic emeralds, rubies, sapphires enhanced by diamonds. Also traditional kundan, polki pieces but set in a contemporary way, in the designer’s signature statement style. Just introduced are little gold studs bringing the range of the entire collection down to Rs 20,000 and which goes to Rs 30 lakh.

An ideal piece of jewellery

While she doesn’t create pieces keeping a bride in mind, nevertheless, “every piece of jewellery of mine can be worn by a bride.” She adds, “I don’t believe in jewellery that you wear once and keep in your locker. Whether it is maang tikkas becoming pendants, chockers becoming bracelets, every piece of jewellery should be versatile, an heirloom piece & one that ups your status symbol.”

Love, life and more

Married to businessman Rishi Sethia last year, there’s a lot keeping her busy. “Currently it’s my kids. My son just finished his twelfth and my daughter is 21. I want to focus on them. I may even go back to writing.”

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