French born expat VERONIQUE MANCHHARAM, the founder of Singapore jewellery brand Bohème, has unveiled a new collection of jewellery designs inspired by Maasai Mara in Kenya, with exotic beauty and eco-consciousness at its heart. She tells us about it!
Give us some insights into Bohème’s new collection Maasai Mara and the stunning campaign shot in Kenya.
The journey began with Marta Gras, a remarkable individual I first met 11 years ago during a visit to the Enkopiro Camp in Maasai Mara in Kenya. Marta established this beautiful camp with just four tents for guests. I was accompanied by my one-year old son, who was the youngest guest Marta had ever seen!
Over the years, Marta and I kept in touch. And two years ago, she presented me with an exciting idea for my Singapore jewellery brand Bohème: to create an African collection that would raise awareness for her educational initiatives and conservation efforts. I was instantly drawn to her vision and eagerly agreed to embark on this project.
My first goal was to collaborate with brands that shared our values and to create a stunning shoot that would reach a wider audience. By March of this year, I began developing my collection. In May and June, I dedicated hours to logistics, coordinating with a photographer, videographer, models and a makeup artist, while also conceptualising the entire shoot. I reached out to my closest designer friends in Singapore. All of them are passionate about sustainability and supporting meaningful causes. I’m incredibly grateful that six talented brands – Mo Maya, Eric Raisina, Totally Tala, Nao, Simone Irani and The Tui Collection – agreed to join me on this journey. The collection is now available online!
In mid-August, I travelled to Jaipur, India, to oversee sample production of the jewellery designs. Then I ventured to Africa and a three-day journey to the Mara. The welcome we received was nothing short of fabulous – we felt at home immediately. We explored locations for the upcoming shoot, visited the Ololasurai Conservancy (managed by the team at Enkopiro Camp), engaged with the local community and school, and experienced a thrilling day on safari before diving into an intense two-day shoot.
How did this experience at Maasai Mara in Kenya inspire you?
We witnessed the effort and passion Marta and her team put into maintaining the conservancy and ensuring a protected area for wildlife. We personally experienced the beauty of enjoying a wild space with privacy. Conservation is one of the core philosophies behind Marta’s sustainable project, which is built on three pillars: ecotourism, conservation and community.
We were truly impressed by the dedicated efforts to provide education at the local school. There, many children receive formal learning for the very first time. In this nurturing environment, young minds are not only educated but also fed and cared for, allowing them to explore their full potential. Marta has ambitious plans to expand the school by January, and we’re eager to highlight her vision and purpose.
This expansion will provide even more children with access to education, fostering their growth and development in a safe and inspiring setting.
By supporting Marta’s initiatives, we contribute to a brighter future for these children, helping them realise their dreams and empowering them to become active participants in their communities. Now, we’re excited to begin organising events to actively promote Enkopiro’s efforts, ensuring that we consistently support these important initiatives. You can support their efforts at enkopiro.com.
Got any personal favourites from this collection?
I love all the jewellery designs I’ve designed, but I’m especially fond of the zebras and leopards in this collection. My artisans have spent hours handpainting these pieces using enamel and adding hand-cut semi-precious stones to finish the eyes.
I’m also excited to work with jasper stone. The name comes from the Greek word iaspi, which means “spotted stone”. Jasper has been used as a gemstone all over the world, worn by ancient Egyptian priests and carved as seals by the Minoans. The zebra jasper in particular is so unique. Just like the stripes on a zebra, each stone has its own pattern, making it truly one of a kind.
Describe the process of bringing your jewellery designs to life.
All my collections are different, but the creative process behind them is quite similar. I’ve now created 16 collections, each inspired by places, epochs or historical figures. Once I identify the theme, I spend weeks looking for inspiration. This time, it came from pictures of animals, landscapes and traditional Maasai jewellery.
I typically choose five categories to focus on. For this collection, it was lions, elephants, zebras, leopards and traditional jewellery. I then create six to eight pieces for each category, which makes my collections quite extensive. I initially tried using my iPad as a tool. But I eventually returned to traditional pencil drawings, which my artisans understand and interpret beautifully.
My team is based in Jaipur, and we communicate almost daily to stay in sync. They usually begin the process one month before I arrive, and I visit for 10 days every four to six months to oversee the new collection and wholesale orders.
After designing 385 pieces, I couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve done, and it’s so rewarding to see it recognised. It’s all about teamwork, and I’m forever grateful to have such a talented and dedicated team of craftsmen.
Sustainability is a top priority at your Singapore jewellery brand; tell us more about this.
We use recycled brass as the primary material in our jewellery production. By doing this, we minimise the need for new mining. This helps conserve natural resources and reduces the environmental impact associated with mining processes. Our recycled brass not only maintains the same high quality as traditional brass, but also adds a unique charm to our designs.
In addition to using recycled materials, we’re committed to sourcing our gemstones and other materials ethically. We carefully select our suppliers and partners to ensure they follow responsible mining practices and uphold fair labour standards. This enables us to create jewellery designs that not only looks beautiful but also reflects our values of social and environmental responsibility. We’re also eager to become involved in more projects that highlight sustainability efforts at every level.
We heard you’re working with Universal Studios on the merchandising for the Wicked film. How did this special collaboration come about?
I’ve been working closely with the Singapore Fashion Council and Design Orchard, the home of local designers, where I’ve been selling my collections for four years now. The teams have always been incredibly supportive. They have invited me to collaborate with the Asian Civilisations Museum, and selected Bohème as a representative at The Earthshot Prize Singapore 2024.
When the opportunity to participate in the Wicked merchandising project for Singapore came up, I immediately signed up for the exciting challenge, even though it was outside of my comfort zone. I was thrilled to be chosen by the Universal team and can’t wait to launch the collection at Design Orchard this month, just before the movie’s release.
Looking ahead, what are you the most excited about?
November is such an exciting month! We kicked things off with our African Soirée on 6 November, followed by a 10-day activation with fellow brands Totally Tala and Simone Irani. We’ll be presenting our project at Design Orchard, as we successfully did at members club 1880. Mid-month, we’ll be launching Wicked at Design Orchard for the premiere, then we’ll finish the month at Boutiques Fairs (22-24 November), unveiling a few exclusives from our Maasai Mara collection. They’ll make perfect Christmas gifts.
As for 2025, I’ve already started working on a Middle Eastinspired collection. I’m keen to expand my Singapore jewellery brand in the region, where I already sell at Harvey Nichols in Saudi Arabia, and Sauce and Poison Drop in Dubai, where I lived for 10 years in the 90s. Later in the year, I may turn my attention to America with jewellery designs inspired by the Far West. But one step at a time!
Bohème is at 60 Fernhill Road, #01-03.
WhatsApp 9776 7094 | IG & FB @bohemesg | bohemesg.com
This article about Singapore jewellery brand Bohème and jewellery designs inspired by Maasai Mara in Kenya first appeared in the November 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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