Introduction
In the heart of New York’s bustling fashion scene, a unique story of heritage and innovation is unfolding at Clarté New York, led by the exceptionally talented Manvi Golcha. Coming from a prestigious lineage of jewelers that spans four generations, Manvi has mastered the art of blending traditional elegance with contemporary design. Her creations are not just jewelry; they are modern heirlooms that bridge the gap between the cherished past and the vibrant present. Yet, even with her deep roots in jewelry craftsmanship, Manvi faced the challenge of distinguishing herself in the highly competitive world of fashion accessories.
What sets Manvi apart in this glittering industry? It’s her ability to turn every piece of jewelry into a statement of empowerment and style. As a recent recipient of consecutive INSTORE Design Awards in 2022 and 2023, her work has gained acclaim not just from jewelry aficionados but also from fashion experts worldwide. However, recognition is just a part of Manvi’s journey. The real question she seeks to answer every day is how to make every woman feel as timeless and sophisticated as the jewels they adorn.
Manvi Golcha’s mission with Clarté New York goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about empowering women to shine confidently in their own stories. Each piece from Clarté is designed to offer more than just adornment—it’s a symbol of strength and elegance. Whether it’s a busy day at the office or a glamorous night out, Manvi believes every woman deserves to feel special and empowered. Through her jewelry, Manvi answers the call for a style that is both empowering and endearing, making every wearer not just look beautiful but feel gloriously invincible.
The Complete Interview
Shop LC: Tell us a little bit about your journey into jewelry design and what really inspired you to get started?
Manvi: My dad has been in this business for over 35 years. So, I’ve always grown seeing him design and sell jewelry. And at first, I never thought I would come in this industry.
I was leaning more towards the industry of fine arts because I’ve always loved to draw and create and paint and sketch. And I always thought that was the way to go.
Eventually, when I was in the second year of my fine arts degree, I thought let’s try and establish something that makes fine jewelry attainable yet unique.
It’s a very cluttered market, but I feel like it doesn’t target women. Even though it’s such a women centric market, it doesn’t make that jewelry very attainable to them. I saw the chance to make it a less intimidating process and more of an empowering one.
During quarantine and COVID back in 2021, me and my mom set out on this journey to make a brand that targets women in all walks of life and makes the process of buying fine jewelry a very inviting experience and empowering experience. The focus in the designs is to reach every type of woman.
It’s not too Avant Garde where it’s intimidating for women to wear. It’s very transitional and very classic yet modern design.
Shop LC: It sounds like your dad inspired you. Is he well known in the industry?
Manvi: His name is Rohit Gulcha. His company focuses more on luxury pieces and he’s known for his designs, like Art Deco inspired designs and colored gemstone jewelry.
He was the reason why I was even able to learn so fast, and establish this company. Otherwise I wouldn’t have known where to start.
I don’t have any formal design training. I only did my fine arts degree and I jumped straight into this. So, without his help, it wouldn’t have been possible.
Shop LC: Tell us about your brand and what materials you prefer to use and why.
Manvi: Clarté specializes in fine jewelry. The brand offers everything from 14 karat gold to platinum. Clarte also offers Moissanite with vermeil exclusively for Shop LC. In terms of materials, Clarte uses semi-precious stones, precious gemstones, diamonds, and Moissanite.
Shop LC: How do you believe your designs will stand out in the jewelry market? It is very competitive.
Manvi: Where Clarte stands apart is in design, but also on pricing.
These pieces are very competitive in pricing while still delivering on exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
I pride myself on the craftsmanship and the design that you get. You won’t get that any other place. Going back to my designs, they are very well researched and planned.
The process takes at least six months to a year to finalize and take to market. I really pride myself on that element of it. My designs are new and fresh to the market, even though this market is innovating constantly. I try to keep up with that. Another thing I focus on is the fusion of metal finishes.
I have a lot of high polish pieces, which are traditional, but I also play with threaded gold and satin finished gold to keep that element of freshness because I feel like jewelry changes so rapidly. With such rapid changes and evolving trends, it really helps adapt that jewelry into a unique thing that sets Clarte apart.
Shop LC: Are there any brands or pieces that have inspired you during your journey?
Manvi: I am very inspired in terms of how heritage luxury brands like Cartier and Bvlgari have built themselves in the market. I really love their aura and how they put it together.
They deliver more on a basis of the lifestyle these brands give you. And the luxury is that you become one with the brand. I like that aspect of things.
So, when I launched my brand, I really wanted it to be an experience. When you buy a piece of Clarte, you’re not buying jewelry, you buy into the brand and you possess those same values and join a community of women.
Shop LC: Who do you envision wearing your jewelry and why?
Manvi: I see this woman, an everyday woman who’s working, but is also a mother or a friend or a sister transitioning these pieces throughout her life.
Because I know as a woman, and when I see my mom, she wears so many different hats So I see my pieces transitioning with that everyday woman.
Basically, it’s for every woman out there in every age group, like in that broad sense. I’ve made my pieces where they transition with her, wherever she is in her life.
Shop LC: Being a young designer, and new to the industry, can you talk about some of the challenges that you faced in your career and how you’ve overcome them?
And do you have any inspiring words for other young designers that might look at you as a role model?
Manvi: The first few challenges I faced is I didn’t realize how intimidating of a process it could be to launch your own brand! It seems like, “Oh, it’s possible.” You have some ideas and a plan but while you’re executing these plans it feels a little bit overwhelming.
I’d be able to accomplish the implementation but one thing I learned is to take a step back. Take it a step at a time, but more than that, give yourself some grace that things will happen. They will unfold and in time everyone will help you. I’ve had so much help.
My dad has helped guide me more than any anyone could. He really did and more than anything, everyone is open to feedback. So when I was initially starting, I received a lot of feedback that really helped me. Manifestation also helped me a lot. Every day I gave myself good words.
“I was like, okay, Manvi, today’s a little hard, but that day will end well.” And all of that really helped me overcome the initial challenges of starting a brand.
A few words that I would like to say to upcoming designers or anyone who wants to start their own line or business is to just start.
When you start, and you put it out there, is to just start. Eventually, it just all ends up falling into place. No matter how long it takes, it eventually starts to fall into place.
Shop LC: What do you think has been the most rewarding part of being a designer?
Manvi: The happiness that I see in my customers when they buy a piece. I can recall a nice story. I’ll share my first year of JCK back in 2021 when I exhibited with my dad.
I met this one customer called Victoria, and she ended up coming to my booth very unexpectedly, nonchalantly and she ended up being my first customer.
We started that relationship with just talking, and it was an immediate bond. She was telling me about her life at JCK that day. That year, even though she wasn’t going to make it, but things ended up falling into place and how she ended up stopping at my booth as the first booth of the day.
As we were talking it was an immediate connection. It was like, I’ve known her for years and we just were talking about her life, what she likes in jewelry, how her love for jewelry started as a young girl. And then she ended up seeing a piece that she loved, which was one of my Sable bangles. I remember it was my first sale!
And she said, “Manvi, you made my day. I was looking for a bangle to make a heirloom and gift to my eventual granddaughters. And this bangle serves that purpose that I can eventually pass on.”
So I remember that story and to this day it is ingrained in my heart. That’s why I started this brand – to meet women in all walks of life and maybe become part of their lives and their story.
Shop LC: Tell us about the collection that will be featured with Shop LC.
Manvi: It is vermil jewelry with Moissanite. It features a lot of my best selling collections, like my Black Tie collection. The Black Tie ring was featured in Rapnet magazine for its innovative design.
Another collection that is really close to my heart is the Sable collection because it was the first collection I sold.
I also won an award for that collection back in 2022 for INSTORE Design Awards. Clarte also features everyday collections like Starry Night, which is inspired by the stars and how they make constellations in the sky.
The collection we’re launching through Shop LC really delivers a good variety to everyone and what they like. Some pieces are minimalistic, while some have more design elements. I want to touch every type of design that people prefer through these type of collections.
Shop LC: Tell us more about the awards. You must be proud?
Manvi: The first award I won was in 2022. I was Cindy Edelstein Memorial Emerging Designer Award. It is granted to emerging designers who are up and coming.
That same year, I won two awards for my designs. One for the Sable Bangle and one for the Versailles Necklace for the 2022 INSTORE Design Awards, which celebrates designers in different categories for their design.
For the Sable Bangle, I won for the best bangle under $5,000. And for the necklace, I won best necklace over $5,000. It was a very proud moment for me.
I was honored that they chose me. I never think I’m good enough. So, I was really proud that they saw something in me.
It really gave me a lot of motivation. And, in 2023, I won another INSTORE Design Award for my geode bangle. I also entered a few of my designs for 2024. Let’s hope that they win!
Shop LC: Where else would someone find your jewelry?
Manvi: Right now my, we sell through different shows and exhibitions so you can find me there. I’m also in some independent stores to keep my line in different regions and then on Instagram and my personal website.
Shop LC: Is there anything else about yourself that you’d love to share to with our readers and that we’ve not touched upon?
Manvi: I hope to like be able to share this love of jewelry with other women.
And if I’m able to find them, I’m grateful to share this experience with them.
If, through my jewelry, I can bring any additional joy to their lives, that is the greatest and honorable thing I can do. The main focus with this line is to empower women and empower them in a way where jewelry becomes a, attainable and unintimidating process.
It could be something that they can do for themselves without it being overwhelming. As women, what we tend to do is we never think we’re worthy to get something for ourselves. We always give to others. So, I think it could be an experience where we’re able to give back and celebrate all the things we do.
Conclusion
Manvi Golcha’s journey with Clarté New York is a testament to the power of heritage fused with innovation. Her designs do more than just accessorize; they narrate a story of empowerment, blending the legacy of four generations of jewelers with a fresh, modern aesthetic. This unique approach has not only garnered prestigious accolades but has also set a new benchmark in jewelry design, emphasizing that true beauty and style are timeless.
Through Clarté, Manvi offers women around the world a chance to own pieces that are as empowering as they are exquisite. Her commitment to quality and attention to detail ensures that each item is not just worn, but cherished. More than just ornaments, these pieces are partners in each wearer’s journey of self-expression and confidence.
As Manvi Golcha continues to innovate and inspire, Clarté New York stands as a beacon of creativity and elegance in the jewelry world. Her work remains a celebration of the strength and style of women everywhere, proving that every piece of jewelry holds the potential to make an ordinary day extraordinary.