Bombay. The city that sparks a thousand dreams. For our 18kt solid gold collection, we worked with Bombay-based photographer, Shubham Lodha to capture the essence of both—our Lune Fine collection and the city's dreamers. The spirit of Bombay and its people are a forever inspiration for Lune. 

Here's what they had to say about the first thought that gold sparks in their mind.

Photographer: Shubham Lodha 

Models: Armeen Jasavala, Kritika Gill, Rebecca Anderson, Justine Rae Mellocastro, Eshwar, Pretika Menon, Rohan Shetty and Aqui Thami

Producer: Rebecca Anderson

Hair artist: Justine Rae Mellocastro

Make-up artist: Eshwar 

Stylist: Sreesha Shetty and Rebecca Anderson 

Interview: Shwets Vepa Vyas

Production assistant: Ankita Nadkarni 

“My earliest memories of gold are associated with my grandmother, grand aunts and my aunt. They'd wear gold rings and necklaces and would always say that eventually they would pass it down to my sisters and me. During the Zoroastrian Navjot ceremony, the child is given a piece of gold jewellery, after which they get the Farohaar or something from the grandparents or parents. That was my first experience of gold—a small gold Farohaar on a really dainty chain. I used to like silver more, but in my late teens, I started wearing gold as my grandmother gave me her engagement ring that I still have.” 

Armeen jasavala ( @armeenjasavala ) is a homeopath and editor based out of Bombay. She grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2012, at the age of 25, she moved to India for six months to study and ended up finding love and a good job. She never left the city and now calls it home.

“ In north India, gold is always the cherry on top of the cake, like the final piece that completes any outfit. No look is complete without jewellery. Even today if I am not wearing jewellery at home, my mom will ask me to put something on "because I'm looking plain." Jewellery is intricately-woven in the culture of north India. When a baby is born in our family, a piece of jewellery like the 'chand sitaare' or the 'nazariye' (made of gold and black beads) is gifted. My earliest memory of gold would be this dainty necklace that was gifted to me by my aunt—it had different charms like a guitar and the letter K for my name. I've been obsessed with jewellery ever since then. My style is minimal but I usually accessorise with a statement piece.”

Kritika Gill, makeup artist and hairstylist grew up all over the country as an army brat, in her words. She finally came to Bombay in 2012 at the age of 23 to work as an apprentice under established artists. "The city just felt like home and I was lucky enough to meet some amazing people. The bonus was that all my college friends and high school love moved here soon enough... so I never left.”

“ I have a very strange relationship with gold because I come from poverty and also from academia which gave me exposure to communist philosophy. I am indigenous, so gold has been central to the rituals and ceremonies of my people, my community and my tribe. Honestly, I don't know how to think of gold—I can think of it as a tool of oppression and something that the rich have always used against the poor. It's a weird space for me to think about gold. But as an indigenous person, I haven't seen a day when my grandmother wasn't wearing her gold nose pin or any of her jewels. Over the years, I have tried to retain my culture by wearing jewellery again. I believe jewellery is important to exercise autonomy—when you're doing something to your body you’re exercising autonomy, self-care and also carrying a bit of your culture, history and who you are.”

Aqui Thami (@dallaekhorsani ) founder, Sister Library ( @sister.library ) a community project that's brings together women and books for women—moved to Bombay for university but stayed back for the community.

“What fascinates me about gold is that it was formed in the supernova, in the center of a neutron star and that it is even present in the dust of the solar system—that's how it got bombarded on to earth. I like that fact about gold.”

Rohan Shetty ( @brohan_ ), visual artist/illustrator. Grew up in Goa but also grew up, growing up in Bombay and Toronto. Currently in Bombay, exploring art in India.

“Coming from a Malayali family, gold to me has always been something auspicious, though I must say that I hated wearing it when I was younger because it was so chunky and not considered very contemporary. Years later, I wear gold as much as I like—small and delicate pieces—because suddenly I realise how great it looks against my skin. As Indians, we have such a range of skin tones and gold accentuates them even more. I've now found a new love for gold and enjoy wearing one-off pieces that are on my body all the time.”

Pretika Menon (@pretikamenon ), photographer and creative director. She grew up in Madras, studied photography in Ooty and lived in Bangalore for 3 years before making her way to Bombay in 2017. "Bombay called to me and I've loved its immense talent, drive and energy. It's quite nice to walk around the streets carefree and not be stared or watch my back," she says of the city she now calls home.

“My earliest memory of gold is of a necklace that my maternal grandmother used to wear. It had this beautiful emerald pendant. Delicate, elegant, timeless—when I think of that necklace, I think of my beautiful grandmother and her elegance, style and grace.”

Rebecca Anderson ( @beccanadya ). Stylist. Born and raised in Goa, came to Bombay for college and never left. Hustled her way into fashion and now lives with her sister and her cat.

“When I think of gold, it reminds me of the reflection of the sun on the ocean during sunset—the water and the glare of the sun reflecting off the surface of the water.”

Justine Rae Mellocastro ( @jrmellocastro ), celebrity hairstylist, national level swimmer, pig foster, novice woodworker. Born and raised in Bombay, it's the only home she's known. Her connection with the city runs deep—she recently found out that she's a descendant of the Viceroy of Portuguese India under whom the island of Bombay was given to the British as dowry.

“My earliest memory of gold will be the temples and my three sisters who I've always seen wearing gold.  Gold has always been such a big thing at home—I have vivid memories of visiting the jewellery shop as a child and running around there! Also, as I am from the south, I associate gold with temples and Gods adorning beautiful embellishments. To me, gold is divine because of its association with God and close to my heart because of my sisters.”

Eshwar ( @eshwarlog ), Make-up and hair artist. Born in Chennai. Lived in Bangalore and moved to Bombay a few years ago. Stayed back for the art and fashion community in Bombay.