High Life Issue #4

HIGH LIFE #4 January 2017 107 Nirav Modi, the face and name of the company, is a somewhat shy yet confident man. Born in Antwerp, the European capital of the diamond-trade, Modi – of Indian descent – is as talented as he is patient. He walks around as guests tour the boutique, listening to the brand representatives’ description of the pieces on display, each a work of art. He mostly keeps quiet, but occasionally steps in to add or explain certain details. The boutique is bright and airy, with different shades of white and a touch of soft pink, creating a feminine environment. “I design jewellery to adorn women,” Modi says with a smile. This is perhaps the reason most of his pieces, no matter how intricate, feel light to thewearer. Most also have beautiful mechanisms that lendmovement to the jewels, adding to the sense of magic. Every item in the shop is exquisite, not only in its design but also its execution. They are also refreshingly innovative. The Embrace, an elegant bangle covered indiamonds, was inspired by a toy elastic bracelet owned by Modi’s daughter and is made of more than 700 gold moving parts, giving it an elasticity that allows it to be stretched over any hand. Another Modi invention are the chokers that can be taken apart to be used as bracelets. This creativity extends to the diamond cuts, which go far beyond the customary. Modi comes from a long line of jewellers; he is a man that knows his trade inside and out, learning it as a craft from an early age. It is this knowledge and tradition that allows him to source unique gems from around the world, while his innovative spirit takes them to the next level. ▲ Jasmine Ring ▶ Jasmine Bouquet Ring