DESIGNS BY SONIA

BIO

Born and raised in West Africa, Ghana, of Indian decent, Vaneesha Advani moved to New York at age of seventeen to study fashion design at the prestigious Parsons School of Design (New York), after that she moved to Canada, she then culminated 14 years of Vancouver and Montreal-based experience with other fashion designers, importers and buyers, designing clothing, and forecasting trends. Armed with a wealth of fashion experience Advani decided to create her own jewellery collection, Designs By SoniA.

INSPERATION

There is always some driving force behind everything we do, says Advani, it could be traveling to other places, meeting new people, movies, arts etc. In her case it was visiting her family in Ghana in 2007. For her first collection, she got her inspiration from the people there, especially the women, they were so elegant, they carried themselves with such grace, you can see their inner strength and beauty showing through their eyes. We all have those qualities naturally in us, which we do not allow ourselves to take notice.

The first collection had tribal, look and feel, since than Design by SoniA collection has taken a modern twist, without loosing it’s authenticity. Each season the collection is being modified to suit today’s modern women. The line is best described as simple, elegant, subtle and yet has a strong presence; each piece is made by hand, therefore making each and every individual piece unique. Going forward into next season, DBS will be adding more signature pieces to the collection.

Each and every design is draped on the dress form to create that unique shape to fit the neck beautifully. Colours used for leather are mainly neutrals, mixed with exotic coloured glass beads and brass beads (the neutral colours used for leather, gives us the freedom to mix and match our necklace/choker with our wardrobe). Each piece can also be custom made for individual fit. The material used was leather; hand dyed silk string, recycled glass beads and brass.

PHILOSOPHY

DBS philosophy is to enhance that mysterious woman, whose presence is felt instantaneously where ever she appears. The collection is true to her; it is ageless, modern and yet stylish, with a strong presence. The collection can be best described as "Modern Couture". A lot of thought has been put together in creating DBS collection, we at DBS believe in an overall look, quality workmanship, feel and appeal. Throughout the collection all natural materials are used, Leather, recycled glass beads, brass beads and hand-dyed/handmade silk strings. The collection is true to its philosophy; it is modern, subtle and yet has a strong presence. Women who wear DBS collection are sure of who they are and have their own individual identity.

Each and every season is special, it is an amazing experience working with every new collection, I will continue to design for that special women.

Vaneesha Advani