Delhi soirée unveils Maalya by Isvari and Siddhartha Bansal, blending heritage jewellery with modern fashion.
On a sultry Saturday evening in April, the chic new eatery Naarma in Delhi’s Epicuria Mall was overtaken by a set of the capital’s most wellheeled. The occasion was a celebration of two homegrown brands – jewellery line Maalya by Isvari and fashion label Siddhartha Bansal. The gracious host for the evening was Chaiti Narula of French Press Global and Maison French Press.
Maalya by Isvari is the latest offering by the House of ISVARI, a label known for its archives of precious gemstones. “Across continents, mines and auctions, our family collected stones for rarity, character and provenance. Exceptional sapphires. Velvety rubies. Rare tanzanites. Japanese keshi pearls. Natural oyster pearls. Gemstones discovered in far-flung corners of the world and preserved over decades with the patience of true connoisseurs. Many of these stones waited years before they were ever set. Maalya by ISVARI emerges from this archive. The collection brings together some of the rarest gemstones ever assembled by the house and translates them into sculptural malas and neckpieces designed for the modern woman who understands the quiet power of extraordinary jewellery,” shares the founder of the brand, Manik Jain.
He adds, “Each piece is composed bead by bead, with meticulous precision. These are contemporary heirlooms. The word Maalya evokes the sacred garland, an object historically associated with reverence, ceremony and honour. At ISVARI India, this symbolism is reimagined for a global generation of women who approach jewellery as an extension of identity. Some will wear these malas with power tailoring. Some with evening silks and couture. Others will layer them effortlessly with modern wardrobes. What unites them is a sensibility that understands rarity.”
Jain proudly highlights that every gemstone in their collection carries the weight of having been naturally honed over a long period of time. These are stones with a story, each one having been collected over seventy years of the house’s journey, which are now being presented as wearable works of art for women who relish owning something truly exceptional. As Jain puts it, “These are contemporary heirlooms. Stones gathered across seventy years, now strung into compositions that celebrate both legacy and modernity. The women who choose Maalya by ISVARI are collectors of jewellery that holds its own across decades. Jewellery that moves between generations without ever losing relevance. Every gemstone carries the quiet weight of time, and the record behind each stone is one that the broader luxury market has largely lost the ability to offer.” “Each Maalya piece is brought to life through a process that values restraint as much as skill. Stones are not forced into uniformity; their individuality guides the composition. Artisans work with calibrated precision, ensuring that every bead sits in balance with the next. The stringing, spacing, and sequencing are considered decisions, resulting in pieces that feel fluid on the body while holding structural integrity. It is a practice shaped by time, where craftsmanship remains quiet but exacting,” he says.
Speaking about the design language of the jewellery, he shares, “Maalya does not rely on excess. Its strength lies in proportion, rhythm, and the interplay of colour and form. The compositions are sculptural, yet effortless. There is a deliberate balance between boldness and restraint, allowing the gemstones to remain central without overwhelming the wearer. The pieces are designed to move across occasions, holding equal presence in intimate settings and formal spaces.”
Perfectly complimenting these unique jewellery pieces is the one-of-a-kind clothing designed by Siddhartha Bansal. As a graduate of Textile Design from NIIFT, Bansal began his career by winning the award for the Most Innovative Collection. He then trained under Manish Arora Paris, Satya Paul, and Nida Mahmood. He launched his label with his GenNext debut at Lakmé Fashion Week for their Winter/Festive 2015 event.
At its core, his design philosophy builds a body of work that celebrates Indian textile heritage through eclectic prints, vibrant colour palettes, and intricate hand embroideries. The label’s flagship store in The Dhan Mill compound offers an experiential retail experience. For his latest Spring Summer 2026 collection, Bansal took inspiration from the open water and blue horizons of Paradise City. He explains, “Paradise City is a journey of the muse, always on the move, travelling the world and celebrating every moment. Harnessing wonder, creating garments that spark curiosity while celebrating the refreshing, romantic essence of summer. The aesthetic operates through playful soft power against seasonal predictability. Paradise City is not a place, but a beautiful state of mind.”
The collection is centred on two statement dresses. The first of these is the Glass Beaded Dress, a handcrafted piece with glass beads knotted with metal wires that catch the light. Bansal shares, “Its silhouette is clean, almost austere, but the surface is alive. Thousands of tiny beads in sorbet tones and candy brights shift as the wearer moves, so she carries her own shimmer with her, whether she is stepping off a gangway in Marseille or walking into a rooftop diner in Lisbon. It is the kind of dress that photographs beautifully from a boat railing, which is precisely the point.”
The second is the Jelly Floral Dress, which is built in layers of organza and fine voile, and sports three-dimensional jelly-like floral motifs all across it. “The florals sit proudly on the fabric, casting tiny shadows, creating depth and softness at once. Worn in a sea breeze, it moves the way a great dress should. Both dresses speak directly to the traveller who has learned that what you wear matters most when the setting is extraordinary. On water, with the light, with wind and colour all around, these are the pieces that hold their own,” he explains.
Also on offer are column dresses, kaftans, safari jackets, and flowing co-ords made in sorbet pastels, candy brights, and ice-dyed gradients. The embroidery builds small sculptural worlds on fabric. Pressed-petal motifs and crystal-like embellishments are inspired by the textures of ice, cake decorations and the translucence of candy. There are also accessories like translucent heels, candy-box clutches, and beaded belts worn loose at the hip. Flower-bouquet clutches, tiny pouches worn as necklaces, organza boots, tinted glasses, whimsical bag charms, printed scarves, and pillow-inspired bags. As Bansal explains, “Each piece has been considered as part of the story of a woman building her look across cities and years, layering souvenirs into something that is entirely and only hers.”
