This Diwali, actor Amita Suman, known for her role in Netflix’s Shadow and Bone, brings her traditions and vibrant spirit to a celebration adorned with Cartier’s breathtaking creations. Inside Cartier’s New Bond Street boutique in London, beneath the grand ceilings of La Résidence, Suman finds herself surrounded by jewellery as radiant as the festival itself. In this quiet, exclusive space - once Cartier’s original workshop and now a special retreat for close friends of the Maison - she reflects on the magic of Diwali and the memories that make it special. “Jewelry sparkles just like Diwali,” she says, her eyes alight with excitement.
Diwali has always held a special place in Suman’s heart. Growing up in a Nepalese village, she recalls the joy of lighting sparklers and decorating homes with diya candles. Later, in Brighton, she eagerly anticipated the sweets, saris, and spiritual rituals, especially her mother’s tradition of ringing a bell in every room to invite the gods’ blessings. “We do the puja, a prayer to Ganesha, to cleanse our house,” she shares, bringing to life the essence of Diwali.
As part of her modern Diwali, Suman now attends Cartier and Condé Nast Traveller’s annual Diwali celebration. She’s here today, in search of a piece of jewellery that mirrors the festival’s splendour. Dressing up is an essential Diwali ritual for her. “You always wear something new,” she explains, adding that her mother often brings saris from Nepal, and she gravitates towards deep, vibrant colours like red, purple, or green. And when it comes to jewellery, she loves pieces that make a statement: “Diwali is no time for subtlety!”
For Suman, no brand resonates with the spirit of Diwali as Cartier does. She admires Cartier’s dedication to celebrating the festival with a grand annual event. “The craftsmanship, the designs, the history of the brand—it’s iconic,” she says. “Cartier is the king of jewellers, crafting pieces for royal families around the world, including Indian dynasties.” Cartier’s relationship with India is legendary. Jacques Cartier, one of the founding Cartier brothers, visited India in 1911 and drew inspiration from its vibrant colours and rich artistry, which forever transformed Cartier’s design language. At the New Bond Street boutique, Cartier’s timeless creations reflect this legacy. This year, Cartier’s Diwali display includes some of its most iconic designs, from classic collections to legendary pieces like the Tutti Frutti jewellery line—a vivid array of carved gemstones in red, green, and blue.
Among the Cartier pieces, Suman selects the Le Voyage Recommencé High Jewellery set, perfect for her Diwali outfit. The necklace is an extraordinary blend of white gold, brilliant-cut diamonds, amazonite, and cushion-shaped rubellites, arranged in geometric patterns. This stunning piece reinterprets Cartier’s famous red-green contrast, lending a flash of colour to her all-white ensemble. A platinum ring adorned with oval and pear-shaped spinels completes the look, reflecting the sequins on her outfit and the spirit of celebration.
As she prepared for Diwali, Suman reflected on the day's deeper meaning. “Diwali celebrates light triumphing over darkness and good over evil,” she says. It's about positivity. You put on your best and feel your best.” Adorned with Cartier, she’s ready to immerse herself in the joy and brightness of Diwali, where the sparkle of jewellery is just one part of a beautiful celebration of light.
Author: Jinal Prajapati
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