About Sayuri

Hello folks! Welcome to my blog JewelsofSayuri. Before we discuss jewellery, culture, heritage, design, and travel, let me tell you a little about myself and ofcourse, Sayuri.

I am Divya N, a fashion design graduate, jewellery designer, design educator, mixed media artist, blogger, and traveller from Chennai, India. My areas of interest include contemporary art jewellery, narrative jewellery, wearable heritage, trend forecasting, fashion journalism and design methodology.

Sayuri – Origin Story

Growing up in a south Indian middle class (conservative) family, I was always taught to put my needs and those of my family before my wants and desires. Thus fashion, was something to be read about in magazines and admired in display windows and not followed. But I always longed for beautiful baubles and quirky knick-knacks however impractical they seemed. Only when I was doing my bachelors in Fashion and apparel design, I realised that fashion could be more – that it could be practical, usable and desirable with just a little effort.
I have always believed that I every end, there is a beginning, so in 2008 when I quit my first corporate job, I found within myself this strong need to create something of my own. Something colorful, substantial, affordable – something interesting!“Sayuri” was thus born – a beautiful lily that blooms and reblooms even after a strong bout of rain. To me it was and is a metaphor of happiness. It is a reminder of my wonderful school days, my home and garden filled with beautiful lily flowers. Sayuri is based on all my values of practicality, desirability and affordability. My collections are colorful, kitschy, quirky and OOAK (one of a kind) as most designs are mixed media pieces. Its for a modern woman who likes having cultural roots.

Its a style that I would like to call as “Indian Contemporary”

Sayuri is a OWB (One woman brand) that believes in creating contemporary and fashionable pieces by incorporating recycling and reusing. The tagline says it all – “Designed to please your soul”. This long journey has been filled with lots of learning curves, experiments, features and ofcourse failures. But it is the people whom I met along the way who have shaped  me and the current avatar of this brand and for that, I am very thankful. Find out more about the personification of Sayuri here.

Jewellery based Achievements

  • 2022 – Selected by NYCJW 22 for a solo virtual exhibition – Handpicked and as a part of “Here & Now” a group exhibition of AdornAxis
  • 2021 – Exhibited “Jewelry in Narratives” at NYCJW21 
  • Contemporary art jewellery titled “Museum piece” has been published by Critical Making: Contemporary Fashion Practices Symposium at Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand
  • Two of My contemporary art jewellery works titled “Plastic tears” and “Getting ready to go to work” have been featured in Garland magazine special gallery Gift of Time.
  • Honorable mention award in Metals & wire work category by Bead Star for Exotic Copper blossoms necklace 2014
  • Collaborated with brands such as Swarovski Elements, Ice resin, Plessman leather, Beadmixer, and Favecrafts for projects.
  • Created a capsule collection for Coolture Designs – Parampare in celebration of Kannadiga Culture

Trade Magazine Publications

Scent of Pine Necklace, Jewelry Stringing Winter 2016-17, Interweave
Haute Carnival necklace and Lavish Lace Necklace, Jewelry Stringing summer 2016, Interweave
Sayuri Necklace, Create Jewelry, Interweave, 2014
Exotic copper blossoms necklace, Beadwork,October Interweave, 2014
Diwali Necklace- 101 Bracelets, necklaces and earrings, Interweave, 2013

Newspaper features

  • The Necklace tells a story – The Hindu, Metroplus
  • Jewellery that speaks – A fitting tribute to Tamil Culture – DTNxt
  • Capturing the Spirit of Chennai, Traditionally trendy by Metroplus, The Hindu, 
  • Designs that wowed Malayalis, A map around the neck – Deccan chronicle 
  • White & Gold, Of paper and wire, the top 12 emerging designers in Chennai- Indulge, New Indian Express
  • Touch of Tradition – Midday Mumbai.  

Lifestyle Magazine Features
Thozhi, Dinakaran Vasantham, Saki, Students magazine, and Hindustan

Created over 2200 pieces of costume jewellery including 12 thematic collections in 14 years

Jewels of Sayuri

This Blog, Jewels of Sayuri, is an extension of not just my brand, but also my personality.  If there is a piece of jewellery that can be handmade without using fancy machines, you would find it here. Being a jewellery enthusiast, I love to collect and share information about all my favourite metals, gemstones and types of jewellery. I review products and like working with brands that I think will interest my readers. When you go through my blog, you’ll find a lot of DIY Tutorials as well.  I also conduct craft & Jewelry making classes and group workshops time to time.

Welcome to my blog and I hope you find it interesting!
For features, consultancy projects, and collaborations write to me at jewelsofsayuri@gmail(dot)com

I hope you found it interesting
Cheers