Designer daughter

Kriti Soni, the 22-year-old daughter of jewellery designer Poonam Soni, is already following in her illustrious mother8217;s footsteps. She has been selected as one of the three winners of the DeBeers Diamond Award. No mean feat, considering her competition included contestants from over 40 countries. Her winning entry was called Destination 20008242;. But till she gets her award in January next year at a special ceremony in Paris, she8217;s strictly forbidden from disclosing any details of her prize-winning design.

quot;It is very bold and unique 8212; I8217;ve used platinum, diamonds and some matt gold.quot; Kriti, who8217;s now working as a trainee with her mother, learnt jewellery design from SNDT and says she always had a flair for drawing. Now she helps her mother run her store at P M Road, and work is on in full swing for the opening of Soni senior8217;s second outlet at Kemp8217;s Corner. This store will concentrate on accessories like rings, bangles and earrings. Says Poonam, quot;At the new store I am doing mainly trousseau jewellery. Itshould be ready by September and right now I can really do with a helping hand.quot; But apart from assisting her mother, Kriti is already working on her own line of jewellery which will be retailed under the Poonam Soni label at the new store. quot;I am learning a lot about both design and business from mom.quot; Though she admits that she8217;s more of a designer than a businesswoman. But that8217;s fine since Poonam8217;s younger daughter Esha is more academically inclined. quot;May be we all three will work together and Esha can look after the business end,quot; says the proud mother.

8212; SUJATA ASSOMULL