Nishani emerged from the mother-daughter partnership between Suhani Garg and jeweler Debi Nishimura, addressing gaps in Indian market for modern, active women. Speaking to JewelBuzz, Suhani emphasizes that the  brand champions modular, versatile designs enabling self-expression through customizable pieces. She underscores the fact that her design philosophy centers on jewellery as an intimate storytelling tool, creating dynamic accessories that adapt to women’s changing lifestyles and identities.

Nishani: A reflection of my journey

Tell us about the dynamic mother-daughter partnership behind Nishani. How did this collaboration come about, and what unique perspectives does each of you bring to the brand?

Nishani is deeply personal to me, it’s not just a brand, it’s a reflection of my journey and a shared dream with my mother, Debi Nishimura. The idea was born out of countless conversations between us, blending my passion for contemporary fashion and branding with her decades of experience in jewellery production and craftsmanship.

Our partnership is what gives Nishani its soul. While I bring in insights from my time at NYU Stern and exposure to New York’s fast-paced fashion world, my mother grounds our work with her deep understanding of quality, structure, and timeless design. She ensures that each piece stands up to wear and time, and I push the boundary of what jewellery can be. Together, we complement each other beautifully; creativity meets precision, and vision meets execution.

What inspired the creation of Nishani, and how does your brand challenge conventional approaches to jewellery design?
While studying and working in New York, I noticed a significant gap in the Indian jewellery market—there was little on offer for modern, active women who wanted jewellery that could adapt to their changing lifestyles. Most options felt static or overly traditional.

Nishani was born out of that gap. Our brand challenges the norm by rethinking jewellery as a tool for self-expression, versatile, modular, and made for movement. We’re not just selling products; we’re enabling creativity. Our pieces are designed to be customized, mixed, and matched to reflect every woman’s evolving identity. That level of personalization is still rare in the Indian market, and that’s where we’ve carved our niche.

 Design Philosophy & Identity

How do you view jewellery as a reflection of personal identity? Why is self-expression through style particularly important in today’s world?
Jewellery is one of the most intimate forms of expression, it’s often the last thing you put on before you walk out the door, and it holds emotional, aesthetic, and cultural significance. I believe personal style is a quiet form of storytelling, and jewellery allows us to do that with grace and intention.

In a world that’s constantly changing, where identities are fluid and multi-dimensional, self-expression becomes essential. It’s empowering. With Nishani, we want every woman to feel like her jewellery mirrors her mood, her day, her energy, whether she’s heading to a meeting, a vacation, or a quiet moment with herself.

Walk us through your design philosophy. How do you ensure each piece is as dynamic and versatile as the women who wear them?
Our design philosophy starts with real women, their routines, needs, and sense of beauty. Each collection is built around modularity and ease. For example, our Natsumi collection, launched in the summer, uses stones in shades of blue, green, and lilac—perfect for lightweight, seasonal versatility.

We keep the designs minimal yet striking, making them wearable across contexts. Whether you’re styling a statement look or adding a pop of color to something neutral, our pieces are designed to blend in or stand out depending on how you wear them.

Product Innovation & Development

Modular design forms the core of Nishani’s offering. Can you take us through the concept development, design process, and product evolution of this approach?
Modularity came from a simple realization: women today need jewellery that does more. I didn’t want pieces that sat in a box waiting for a special occasion. I wanted pieces that could evolve with your day.

From concept to production, we work closely with design engineers and craftspeople to ensure that the pieces can be interlocked, layered, or transformed without compromising on quality. We’ve developed a system where even the smallest components clasps, chains, stones are created with flexibility in mind. This process has been refined over time with feedback from real users, and we continue to evolve it.

How do you empower customers to style Nishani jewellery in their own unique way? What specific design elements and features enable your pieces to adapt across different styles and occasions?
We build for customization. Each piece from Nishani can be styled in multiple ways, necklaces that become bracelets, earrings that change shape with add-ons, and layers that can be shortened or extended. We use lightweight materials and timeless aesthetics to make that fluidity possible.

We also provide guidance through our social channels, showing real-life styling hacks and encouraging users to experiment. Our aim is not to dictate fashion but to enable creativity.

Market Insights & Consumer Behavior

What consumer trends and mindsets have you observed, particularly among Gen Z and millennial customers? How do these insights shape your brand strategy?
Today’s consumers are incredibly value-driven. They want authenticity, transparency, and versatility and they care just as much about how something is made as they do about how it looks. Gen Z and millennials are particularly drawn to brands that allow them to co-create and personalize.

That’s why we’ve invested so much in customization and storytelling. Our collections are built to evolve, not just with trends, but with the wearer’s life. Sustainability, versatility, and emotional resonance are key pillars in our strategy because that’s what our customers want.

How do you balance creative innovation with commercial viability? What’s your approach to maintaining artistic integrity while ensuring profitability?
It’s always a dance between vision and viability. But I think both can co-exist. Our modular format is not only creative it’s also scalable. It allows us to launch new styles without overproducing, reducing waste while keeping the brand fresh.

We prototype extensively, listen to customer feedback, and keep our production agile. This helps us stay ahead without compromising on quality or diluting our creative DNA.

Entrepreneurial Journey

What challenges did you encounter as young female entrepreneurs entering the luxury jewellery market? What key lessons have shaped your journey?
One of the biggest challenges was being taken seriously. As a young woman entering a legacy-driven industry, I often had to prove myself twice: first as a creative and then as a business leader. It helped to have my mother by my side, who brought credibility and depth from the start.

Another challenge was educating the market. Modular jewellery was a new concept, so we had to build awareness and trust from scratch. The key lesson? Stay resilient, listen more than you speak, and surround yourself with people who challenge you.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Nishani? How do you plan to continue pushing boundaries in design and innovation while scaling the brand?
We officially launched Nishani Studio in November 2024, and the response has been both humbling and motivating. Going forward, I see Nishani becoming more than a brand—it will be a movement.

We want to expand into international markets, deepen our tech capabilities for customization, and continue releasing collections that reflect our ethos of creative empowerment. But no matter how much we scale, the heart of Nishani will always be rooted in individuality, innovation, and human connection.