Home JOURNAL Behind the Label | Krysos + Chandi

Behind the Label | Krysos + Chandi

Krysos + Chandi designer Avneet Basi is a Brooklyn-based designer and world traveler. Her collection is inspired by age-old Greek and Indian mythology and culture. This New Delhi-bred designer cut her teeth designing for one of the country?s biggest mass market brands before launching her own line of unique jewels. We recently caught up with this savvy globetrotter and asked her to share the story behind her label.

How does travel inspire your collection?

I have loved to travel since childhood family trips abroad and having spent my formative years growing up in New Delhi, the pulse of a fast paced, bright and vibrant city are a strong part of who I am as a person and designer. I make it a point to buy a piece of jewelry everywhere new I travel and want my pieces to be keepsakes in the same way.

Describe the Krysos + Chandi brand in 3 words.

Bold, unique and innovative. I worked on the mass market side of the fashion jewelry world for many years, so when I launched my own company, with production based in NYC, I was very aware of wanting to create pieces you couldn?t find anywhere else in terms of design and quality. While our pieces hit some trends, they are unique and this brings a freshness to such a saturated market.

Your collection of products keeps growing. What creative endeavors are on the horizon?

As the line grows and from season to season, I?m aiming to offer more in our cast range of jewelry which is all designed and produced here in New York City?s storied jewelry district in Midtown.

Who is your muse? Describe the woman who wears Krysos + Chandi.

The Shop Latitude customer is definitely the quintessential muse ? someone who loves to travel to exotic places, isn?t afraid of bold color, prints and textures and statement jewels!

Tell us about your favorite piece (or one of them) and where you were inspired to create it.

Right now I am obsessed with our Mati Ring and Earrings. I spent half of my honeymoon a few years ago in Istanbul and the hamsa/evil eye symbols are so widely used in Turkey, so the inspiration to create my own unique evil eye talisman came from that week spent in Istanbul.

What do you love most about the city you live in? Please name your top 3 spots for shopping, eating, and sleeping.

I feel so lucky to live in NYC ? there?s so much to love about this great city and to see and do! I think having access to so many amazing restaurants, museums and events is incomparable. I love to shop at Love Adorned ? it?s so perfectly curated and styled and their selection of jewelry is impeccable. I love the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn ? my husband and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary by staying there for a night and the view of the Manhattan skyline from our room was such a treat! Freemans is an old favorite for eating ? I love the devils on horseback and artichoke dip and their Thanksgiving menu is particularly good!

Love Adorned: 269 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012, (212) 431-5683. Wythe Hotel: 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, (718) 460-8000. Freemans: 191 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002, (212) 420-0012.

What are your upcoming summer travel and/or vacation plans?

I?m heading to Toronto in mid August to spend some time with my family and to meet my nephew who is due in late July. We?ll spend some time in the city but I?m really looking forward to some down time away from the city at the cottage situated on the shores of Lake Ontario.