Delhi-based jewellery designer Sumit Sawhney's label, Apala by Sumit, is returning to Kolkata after a gap of three years, with a showcase at Taj Bengal titled "Calcutta Wears Apala", organised in partnership with House of Gatherings.

The brand works primarily in silver, combining traditional Indian art forms, historical references and vintage collectibles into contemporary jewellery designs. Sawhney said he draws on India's history, architecture and crafts, reinterpreting traditional techniques and motifs in a modern idiom.

Speaking about his choice of metal, Sawhney said, "Silver gives me enormous freedom as a designer to experiment with different techniques." He added that the metal can be finished with 22-karat gold coating, aged with patina, or worked into varying finishes depending on the design.

Apala by Sumit also designs jewellery for men, moving beyond conventional chains, rings and bracelets. The brand recently created custom pieces for a shoot featuring Kolkata-based individuals, including an Art Deco-inspired lion brooch and an antique-influenced cuff bracelet.

The label's pieces have been worn by celebrities including actors Ananya Panday and Janhvi Kapoor. Sawhney, who is also a collector of vintage coins and antiques, said these objects inform his design language.

Following the Kolkata showcase, Apala by Sumit's next presentation is scheduled in Pennsylvania, in the United States.