Meet Vinita Navale | Founder & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vinita Navale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vinita, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Business was never a plan from day one. It happened! Being in the jewelry industry and freelancing for a while I realized there is need to create something which is exclusive but affordable and also give that feeling of luxury.

When I started Callista the thought was to create jewelry pieces which are bespoke, made with the same attention to details as fine jewelry but affordable and accessible to every woman. I love couture and high jewelry. The thought was to create something between high end couture and fashion jewelry. And Callista happened, a bridge jewelry brand which is original, unique, bespoke and affordable at the same time. I wanted to create affordable luxury so its accessible to every women. For women who love personal collectible jewelry that makes them feel inspired, unique and beautiful.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I want my pieces to have individual freedom. Individual freedom to me is being myself and being perfectly imperfect. Through my designs I’m able to express it. Bold personal pieces with and eclectic edge inspired by nature, vintage glamour and luxurious colors and textures. The pieces are designed for original women who consider themselves eclectic and demand a personal touch in every detail. I want to give that feeling to women who wear my pieces, who adore to stand out from the crowd and reclaim place in the spotlight with jewelry that speaks to their life story. I would call them bespoke bridge jewelry. Which is not totally fashion and not fine either. But make the wearer feel beautiful, inspired and empowered. A piece that is as unique as the women who wears it, but she can own it without breaking her bank. I wanted to create something which is accessible but feels luxurious and made with same attention to details as fine jewelry. At the same time it should be affordable.

I still haven’t reached that stage where I feel proud of myself. But, I’m extremely happy where I’m right now. There is still a lot to achieve and that will happen one day. But the journey itself has been exciting. There have been moments where I felt the feeling of achievements and gratitude. When I see my work getting appreciated and talked about. One big thing was getting editorial feature in JCK magazine.

Getting here was never easy. It’s been a journey and will continue to be. I’ve always been an ardent fan of individual freedom and inclined towards creativity from a very young age. If I have to talk particularly about jewelry I remember going to a jewelry store with my mom and closely observing everything around me and specially the instructions mom would give for her own custom made pieces. My love for jewelry designing started from there but I didn’t realize it until later. My educational Degree and circumstances propelled me in the corporate world but the desire to make my mark in the creative field remained to be achieved. The artist within me always kept pushing me. Soon to realize my love and passion for jewelry and gemstones. In 2010 I took a bold step to pursue my dream and received a degree in Jewelry Design and moved to the US with family. I continued to enrich my knowledge and subsequently got a Diploma from Gemological Institute of America and enhanced my skills through New York Jewelry Design Institute.

I’ve always chosen to be the hero of my own story. Following the crowd was never for me. I decided to carve my own path in life, which is how Callista came to be. Callista represents a bold choice that I made to leave a corporate life behind to pursue my creative interests at a stage in life where you are in a comfort zone and doing well in your personal and professional life. The right to choose your own path, shape your own destiny; be the hero of your own story was something that I always wanted. That was why I left a successful and comfortable corporate career behind to embark on my own dream of being a Jewelry Designer.

Everything was new for me when I moved to the US. I had left my family and moved to a complete new place with my husband and my baby. There was initial struggle involved to settling down in a new place where you don’t know anyone. It’s the passion and love for my work, the future that I want for my kids and a life that I want to spent with my husband just keeps me going and motivated.
It’s always been a learning curve and will continue to be. There is a lot I have learnt in the process and one of the most important thing is not to trust everyone.

About the Brand
A contemporary jewelry brand that is every bit as beautiful, unique and original like its wearer. Callista! A Greek word that means ‘most beautiful’. Callista is designed to mirror the beauty of your soul. The immense happiness I get from Callista, is the chance to touch lives, bring smiles & become a part of your story through my creations.

Callista takes inspiration from women who push boundaries and inspire the world with their sheer grit. Just like you do, since true class and elegance never goes out of style.
Callista was made to make you feel inspired, original, unique and empowered at the same time. Why be a short-lived chapter when you can be the entire novel?

Bold personal pieces with and eclectic edge inspired by nature, vintage glamour and luxurious colors and textures. Our bespoke pieces are made for the original women like you who consider themselves eclectic and demand a personal touch in every detail.

Story
They say the road less taken is the hardest path. For me, it was the only path I would ever choose. I’ve always been an ardent fan of individual freedom and inclined towards creativity from a very young age. The right to choose your own path, shape your own destiny; be the hero of your own story. That was why I left a successful and comfortable corporate career behind to embark on my own dream of being a Jewelry Designer.

In 2010, I pursued a degree in Jewelry Design, a first step towards my passion and moved to the United States with my husband and son. I enhanced my existing knowledge of the world of design, jewelry and gemology by adding further credentials to my resume from the Gemological Institute of America, and the New York Jewelry Design Institute. Callista by Vinita is the fruit of my learnings and labor which stands for originality, individuality and beauty.
I believe that true beauty comes from empowered women who embrace their own raw individuality. Like the fine cut of a gorgeous gemstone. Callista brings to you jewelry that embraces all your flaws and perfections and brings out your inner diva.

I’ve always been an ardent fan of individual freedom and inclined towards creativity from a very young age. I remember going to a jewelry store with my mom and closely observing everything around me and specially the instructions mom would give for her own custom made pieces. My love for jewelry designing started from there but I didn’t realize it until later. My educational Degree and circumstances propelled me in the corporate world but the desire to make my mark in the creative field remained to be achieved. The artist within me always kept pushing me. Soon to realize my love and passion for jewelry and gemstones. In 2010 I took a bold step to pursue my dream and received a degree in Jewelry Design and moved to the US with family. I continued to enrich my knowledge and subsequently got a Diploma from Gemological Institute of America and enhanced my skills through New York Jewelry Design Institute.
I’ve always chosen to be the hero of my own story. Following the crowd was never for me. I decided to carve my own path in life, which is how Callista came to be. The right to choose your own path, shape your own destiny; be the hero of your own story was something that I always wanted. That was why I left a successful and comfortable corporate career behind to embark on my own dream of being a Jewelry Designer.
I wanted to my pieces to have individual freedom.Individual freedom to me is being myself and being perfectly imperfect. Through my designs I’m able to express it. Bold personal pieces with and eclectic edge inspired by nature, vintage glamour and luxurious colors and textures. The pieces are designed for women who consider themselves eclectic and demand a personal touch in every detail.

My designing style has never changed since I started. Coming from India and having the rich Indian cultural heritage, I was always drawn towards designing contemporary jewelry and not the traditional Indian style. I wanted to design jewelry which is more versatile and can be styled with any outfit Indian or western.
Women who push boundaries and inspire the world with their sheer grit always inspire me. I believe that true beauty comes from empowered women who embrace their own raw individuality. Like the fine cut of a gorgeous gemstone. The one who embraces all her flaws and perfections is the one who brings out her inner diva is someone I admire.

When I started Callista the thought was to create a jewelry which is bespoke, made with the same attention to details as fine jewelry but affordable and accessible to every woman. I love couture and high jewelry. The thought was to create something between high end couture and fashion jewelry. And Callista happened, a bridge jewelry brand which is original, unique, bespoke and affordable at the same time. I wanted to create affordable luxury so its accessible to every women. For women who love personal collectible jewelry that makes them feel inspired, unique and beautiful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m based out of New Jersey. I would definitely take my friend around NJ and New York City.
In NJ there are really cool spots in downtown Princeton. It has some really amazing restaurants and hang out spots.
NYC has endless options. But my personal favorite is Soho, east village, Hudson yards and 5th avenue.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a few people who play a very important role in where I’m today. They have been a big support and motivation and a part of my journey. One of them is Jenine Lepera Izza who is the Founder & Director of New York Jewelry Design Institute. She plays a major role in how & why Callista was born. She has been a mentor in my early days when I was new in the country and to the jewelry Industry. And then it’s my husband and my boys without whom nothing was possible. They let me go, live and accomplish my dream of becoming a Jewelry Designer. Till now I haven’t honored them in my designs but I will when the time is right for me to do it.

Website: www.callista.biz

Instagram: @callistabyvinita

Linkedin: Callista By Vinita

Facebook: Callista By Vinita