This is the story of a lovely encounter between Usha – founder of Jamini – and Claire – founder of L’Atelier Plume. Claire, lover of all things beautiful, comes from a family that lives with culture in all its forms. Art and beauty have shaped her vision over the years. After having worked in graphic design, Claire was a cultural communications manager in the world of entertainment for more than 10 years. When her daughter Marnie was born, Claire decided to follow a new path and started designing jewelry. She sourced precious stones to create her range and this led her to collaborate with a talented atelier in India. Atelier Plume was born in 2015.

Claire, lover of all things beautiful, comes from a family that lives with culture in all its forms. Art and beauty have shaped her vision over the years. After having worked in graphic design, Claire was a cultural communications manager in the world of entertainment for more than 10 years. When her daughter Marnie was born, Claire decided to follow a new path and started designing jewelry. She sourced precious stones to create her range and this led her to collaborate with a talented atelier in India. Atelier Plume was born in 2015.

Claire, founder of L'Atelier Plume © Amit Sihad - © L'Atelier Plume

Atelier Plume collaborated with two workshops, each run by a family of a long line of jewelers in the state of Rajasthan, the "Land of Kings”, the second largest state in India. This region, known for its maharajahs is rich in deposits of precious and semi-precious stones such as emeralds, garnets, agates, amethysts, topaz, rubies and turquoise.

Joined by a common passion for India, Usha and Claire have created a capsule collection that pays tribute to the craftsmanship and colors of this fascinating country. The range includes a jacket and dress hand embroidered in Bengal, made from khadi cotton, as well as a Dakota cuff, an iconic model by L'Atelier Plume. The collaboration is in line with Jamini's vision, in which know-how, craftsmanship and colors blend and intertwine.

We asked Usha & Claire what India evoked in them!

Mija dress in khadi cotton © oioo_studio

Dakota cuff , khadi cotton jacket © oioo_studio

Your first memory of India

Claire: the first time I discovered India I was struck by the ambient noise, an organized bazaar which seems like a gigantic mess but in which everything fits together beautifully.

Usha: Assam, my birthplace, with its endless green tea gardens and the majestic elephants and rhinos of Kaziranga National Park.

Your favorite place in India

Claire: my haven of peace, “my happy place” in Jaipur, Rajasthan: Jobner Bagh – I feel at home there, like a resort I return to several times a year.

Usha: the North-East region – ancestral tribal art, savory vegetables, vibrant harvest music, strong women and their attire, the Brahmaputra River: all a blend of beauty and inspiration.

City Palace, Jaipur © Jérôme Galland – Kaziranga Park, Assam © Sophie Denux

Brahmaputra © Sophie Denux

Your favorite Indian dish

Claire: definitely the little cooked zucchinis, aka “lady fingers” – I can eat them morning, noon and night!

Usha: without hesitation, Assamese vegetarian dishes – a variety of spinach, flavorful ginger and fragrant lemons.

Your favorite season in India / France

Claire: in India, Holi – the festival marking winter’s end and spring’s start. The warmth is bearable, and evenings are perfect for a light sweater.

In France, autumn – the Indian summer, with its stunning colors and mild weather.

Usha: October to March – Diwali celebrations, mountain walks, and Mumbai’s autumnal hues.

In France, spring-summer – sunshine, seafood, fragrant flowers and sunset countryside strolls.

The common point between India and France

Claire: rich cultures and beautiful landscapes – my curiosity and love of beauty are satisfied in both.

Usha: love of food and flavors! And people’s joy in long, lighthearted conversations.

Embroidered jacket in khadi cotton © oioo_studio

If India were a color

Claire: pink, of course!

Usha: curry yellow – mystical and inspiring for Jamini’s collections.

If India were a flavor

Claire: cardamom.

Usha: masala chai !

© Jérôme Galland