Tough Love

Meet Angela, pretty as a rose but armed with war chains, and Monique, shimmery and fairy-like but suited up in leather. In fact, there’s a whole battalion of feisty fighters – Serena, Anika, Alia – all waiting to choke you. Why? Because chainsmith Meera Mittal decrees so. Raising an army of uber-interesting neck pieces, each named after a woman, Meera combines feminine fabrics with metallic details, setting in motion chains of command that are hard to ignore. 

One of bpb’s favourite underground designers, this NIFT graduate has worked under fashion bigwigs like Gayatri Khanna and Ashish Soni, and launched her online store yesterday. Are we buying? Ma’am, yes ma’am!

Pendant-ic!

What’s best about Meera’s oeuvre (titled after her first name) is that it weeds out the usual beads and pendants. Instead, she uses jacquard and silk swatches, gunmetal fragments and flowers, semi-precious stones and industrial parts. “What goes into a necklace I am crafting depends a lot on what excites me at that time,” says Meera, who sometimes takes existing jewellery and works them into new pieces.

From bib necklaces and long strands to collars, the store currently features day and evening wear sections averaging Rs 2,500, plus a few old pieces that are on sale. While some of the formal pieces do seem a little steep at Rs 4,500, they’re carefully crafted, well finished and (almost) worth the price. Also check out Meera’s online Look Book, where you can browse trend forecasts and celebrity styles compiled by the designer.

Head of Operations

Although the online store currently features more than enough merchandise to fill your virtual cart, Meera is already planning her next batch: a festive collection featuring necklaces, earrings and cuffs – it should start trickling in by this weekend – that promises to be a riot of colour. Also in the wings is Forever Bombay, a slightly lower end line of chunky street style jewellery.

Padma Shree

So from all the ladies, which one would you appoint to lead the troops? Meera picks Padma a cool-ugly, half-and-half necklace inspired by a lotus and studded with vintage crystals. As for us, we’re putting our necks on the line for Samara, golden, coiled and ready to strike!

Getting there: Log on to www.meeramittal.com/shop, 10 day order processing for India, two weeks internationally with free shipping, start at Rs 500. You can also place your order on 9819847794 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .