Vara Of London: ‘Jewellery Allows Women To Make A Statement By Individualising Their Look’

May 21, 2015

By Katerina Perez

9 min read

I remember the first time I met Mayuri Vara of Vara of London. It was at the Jewellery & Watch Fair, Saatchi Gallery. The designer debuted with her first collection and presented a variety of statement cocktail rings in coloured gemstones, cuff bracelets and various earrings. Some of them were crafted in silver, others in vermeil and embellished with peridots, amethyst, smoky quartz and citrines. Regardless of the material, Mayuri’s jewellery stood out at the show.

Since then Vara of London has been featured on the pages of Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar Deluxe Hong Kong, Hong Kong Tatler and The South China Morning Post – Luxury. So, what makes Mayuri’s pieces so popular among women? Is it the glamour, the stylish and eye-catching designs or perhaps the ease of pairing it with almost anything in the wardrobe? I’ll let you work it out. For now, let’s get to know Vara of London.

Mayuri Vara

Mayuri Vara

Katerina Perez: Mayuri, do you have a special occasion in mind while designing the voluminous and bold pieces?

Mayuri Vara: I would say that Vara of London collections are elegant, glamorous and timeless. They are designed to be versatile, worn with a fitted shirt, evening gown or even a divine leather dress. You may dress up or dress down the pieces with ease. I have never believed that jewellery should only be worn at night. It is wonderful to see that women no longer abide by rules -they wear a jewellery to a cocktail party and wear the same thing to office as well.

KP: Is jewellery more than just an adornment for a modern woman?

MV: Jewellery allows women to make a statement by individualising their look, empowers them to say so much as to what kind of women they are without saying a word.

KP: Do you wear jewellery all the time?

MV: I have always worn jewellery to different occasions, right from meetings to cocktails. I feel underdressed without jewellery and perfume.

The Fleur de Chine Cuff by Vara Of London

The Fleur de Chine Cuff by Vara Of London

KP: What in your opinion is the next trend?

MV: We see many people wearing body jewellery. Chokers, that were hot in the 90s, are back in vogue. Ear-cuffs and hand jewellery, which I love, continue to be in trend. This prompted me to add some pieces to the Bamboo and Serpentine collections.

KP: What does the Serpentine Collection symbolise?

MV: The snake is known as the black dragon in the Orient, which is why I have used black diamonds in this range. It symbolises beauty and heralds good fortune. The collection was inspired by Anna May Wong, who was one of the first Chinese actresses who rose to be a star in Hollywood despite the odds. The beautiful and fearless Anna had always been cast as a seductress.

KP: One of my favourites is the Fleur de Chine. Tell us about the inspiration behind this jewellery.

MV: The Fleur de Chine was inspired by lotus. The Chinese love lotus; these flowers are symbolic of beauty, purity and harmony. Just as a lotus rises from unclean water to blossom into a beautiful flower, an individual’s mind too has to grow before it attains purity and enlightenment. The lotus has a similar meaning in Indian culture too and is widely depicted in art.

The Serpentne Drop Earrings by Vara Of London

The Serpentne Drop Earrings by Vara Of London

KP: You seem to have merged two cultures, Indian and Chinese, into one jewel?

MV: Yes, you could say that. This design with a Chinese lucky coin gallery at the reverse balances the piece beautifully.

KP: How did you decide on the colour combinations for the Fleur de Chine?

MV: I have always been passionate about design and art. So, I included two colour combinations in this collection: One with gems, which complement one another such as the smoky quartz and citrine. This allows the piece to be more classic. The second one features striking complementary gemstones like amethyst and tsavorite. This gives the piece a more dramatic appeal. Both are equally beautiful.

KP: Why did you use rhodium-plated silver for the jewellery?

MV: Rhodium lends a more dramatic, contemporary and edgy feel. Our clients love these pieces, especially in Hong Kong, as they tend wear chic all-black and grey ensembles.These pieces compliment the look perfectly.

The Fleur de Chine Ring by Vara Of London

The Fleur de Chine Ring by Vara Of London

KP: I have not seen many neck adornments in your collections. Why?

MV: In the past, I wanted to focus only on capsule collections. Then the Fleur de Chine line evolved into a wider range and now includes brooches on request by our clients. As a ring and a brooch complement each other perfectly I did not plan to add necklaces. However, we are introducing collar necklace that are sleek and minimalistic. These, we believe, will complement the rest of the pieces: cuffs, rings and earrings. Wait for the Le Boteh Collar – it is stunning!

KP: You are now working on a collection in 18K gold, what prompted the change from silver to gold?How different will it be?

MV: We have select lines that became popular with many of our clients. So, we created some pieces in 18k gold. There will be minimalistic pieces as well as dramatic jewels themed around the peacock motif that was a key part of Mughal art. The minimalistic pieces will feature pearls, since pearls have made a resurgence. Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur loved pearls and I have always admired her old Hollywood glamour and remain inspired by her style.

Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

 Vara Of London

Vara Of London

We all need a little bit of glamour in our lives. I believe after reading this interview and seeing the jewellery you’d want to see more Vara of London.

Luxe Intelligence Brings International Brands To JCK:

continue reading

Exceptional Splendour: Jaipur Gems Celebrates 50 Years with Abu Dhabi Opening and New High Jewels 

Let me take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Abu Dhabi boutique and share some of my sparkling highlights

by Katerina Perez

Radiating Confidence: The Mother-Daughter Energy Behind Growing Brand Aponine

As one of this year’s Couture show debutants, Turkish brand Aponine impressed me with its blend of colourful creativity, timeless elegance, and stylish femininity. Let’s take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Sensual Silhouettes: Jewels with Curves in All the Right Places

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just us? As jewellers swap sharp lines for shapely swirls, we look at new collections that are embracing the raw power of sensuality inspired by the female form

by Rachael Taylor

Artistic Realms: The Enchanting Natural World of Histoire D’Elle

I had the pleasure of speaking with Pascale Van Maele, the Brand Manager of Histoire d'Elle, which celebrates the deep-rooted connection between quiet femininity, elegance and natural forms. Let's explore together…

by Sarah Jordan

Spinel Stories: Celebrating the Special Allure of Spinels with the House of Gübelin 

I visited the Geneva boutique of the family-owned business to indulge my passion for this overlooked gemstone and explore some of its beautiful creations…

by Katerina Perez

Golden Hour: Cosmic Creations in the Chanel Reach for the Stars High Jewellery Collection

The Reach for the Stars collection bounces between cosmic constellations of diamonds, elaborate, almost mythological neckwear, and starbursts of coloured stones, all with the Maison’s Parisian flair

by Sarah Jordan

Ultimate Guide to Promise Rings: What They Mean, How to Wear One and Where to Buy

While the promise ring's meaning has evolved, its emotional weight remains, making it especially popular among Gen Z and millennial couples seeking the perfect, personal pre-engagement jewel

by Claire Roberts

Exquisite Escapes: The Idyllic Inspirations Behind the Diorexquis High Jewellery Collection

In early May 2025, Dior Joaillerie's Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane showcased an unprecedented high jewellery collection, Diorexquis, to more than 300 VIPs at the Château de la Colle Noire in the heart of Provence. Let's take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Millionaire Products: Celebrating the No-Expense-Spared Bvlgari Polychroma High Jewellery Collection

Bvlgari is opening a magnificent new chapter in the world of high jewellery, and high jewellery watches with the Polychroma collection. Here's what I have discovered so far…

by Katerina Perez

Sea of Wonder: Celebrating the Ocean’s Endless Bounty with the Tiffany & Co. Blue Book 2025

Here are some of the creations that became an integral part of the Tiffany & Co. underwater world, including starfish, crashing waves and sea turtles…

by Katerina Perez

The Psychology of Jewellery: Why We Adorn Ourselves

From the earliest civilisations to contemporary fashion catwalks, humans have consistently sought ways to embellish themselves. Transcending mere decoration, jewellery acts as a powerful expression of identity, status and emotion. Whether it's the intricate beadwork of ancient societies or the minimalist designs of modern artisans, our choices in adornment reveal layers of personal and cultural narratives. 

by Claire Roberts

Gem Renaissance: Insights from GemGenève Talk on Coloured Gemstones

One of the most exciting shifts in the world of fine jewellery today is the growing appreciation for coloured gemstones, especially those beyond the traditional “Big Three” of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. So, when the organisers of GemGenève invited me to do a talk, I instantly knew what subject I was going to touch upon - the rise of colour.

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Legacy of Love:The Dreamlike Jewels of Emirati Designer Mariyeh Ghelichkhani

During our meeting in Dubai, we spoke about the importance of family, the sweetness of finding joy through creativity, and the ability to translate dreamy visions and deep feelings into wearable pieces…

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.