Double Up

It’s the age of the sixties revisited. So make way for a double dose of everything. The long chain is back - with twice the impact, says Vinitha Ramchandani.

Why wear one, when you can wear two, seems to be the mantra these days. The once popular double chain of the ’70s (yes, Bappi Lahiri is finally in!) has made a comeback, and while available in various lengths, the trend dictates the longer the funkier.

With pendants or minus them, whether one string below the other or intrinsically intertwined...it does not make a difference. The only new addition seems to be the emphasis on Celtic designs, composed of highly sophisticated and geometric patterns in which the dynamic elements are harmoniously balanced.

Hemant Zaveri, of Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri maintains that long double chains are suddenly are in demand at his sprawling store. “When people come to us asking for the latest patterns we show them the long double chains and I find a lot of Bollywood stars purchasing them. Most people buy the chain in yellow gold, but we make them in two colours most of the time. If it is in white gold, we use hot high polish or the spray finish.”
Rajeev Tolani of Ishna says his customers seem to be fond of buying double chains in both the platinum and the gold finish. “It really depends on what they have in mind. Pendants are fixed on the chain if the customer wants it. We also use the copper finish a lot.”

Model Dipannita Sharma has recently picked a double chain for herself. “I like to be with the times. Moreover it is not as if the patterns are exactly like that in the ’70s. There is a very contemporary look to them.”

Sunil Datwani of Anmol Jewellery says, “The designs for double chains are interesting and often catch the fancy of the buyer. Italian patterns are quite the rage. Often they are very long without clasps and can be adjusted according to the length or the mood of the wearer. The gold finish is so highly polished and malleable that they often look like fabric. Patterns that have come up make the chains looks like scarves. And I find a lot of customers wearing them that way. They look good.”

At Popley, chains that sell are the intertwined ones. They are made in two colours. And guess what... they are available for men too. Actor Jackie Shroff says he always loved long chains and is glad that they are back in fashion, promising that he will pick up one on his next trip abroad. Says Manish Soni, senior personnel at Polpey and Sons, “Double chain necklaces with trendy personalised pendants are crafted with tones of yellow and white in our store. They are mostly 18 inches long. Italy’s jewellery tradition, combined with practices such as the non-showing of porosity in gold casting, the use of the highest possible quality of stones, precise settings and hand-finishing with high attention to style and creativity have all paved the way to success.”

“I have always possessed and worn long chains all my life,” says author and columnist Shobhaa Dé. “I think they suit me very well. They are old patterns with huge pendants and they belong to my mother. Glad to know I am ‘in’, again!” Model Cleo Isaac does not possess a double chain but says she would buy one if it appealed to her. “I love good jewellery and I tend to spend a solid chunk of my earnings in ornaments.” VJ Ramona, too, loves to pick up the latest in jewellery. “I have seen the double chain. I like the entwined version of it. I think it can be very sexy.” Reticent actor Kunal Kapoor dotes on his long-chained pendants. “They look cool on both western clothes as well as Indo-western wear,” he says.

“Colour is everything and you are seeing it everywhere,” says Datwani. “People are looking for a lot of exciting colours in unusual combinations just like they did a 100 years ago. And we are using colours in the gold polish. A large pendant on a double chain turns heads. Men like wearing pendants, too. It seems to be a very cool thing to wear nowadays.”

Finally, the long gone is back before long. Celebrate!

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