A Legacy You Can Wear: Powerful Women on the Heirlooms That Define Their Style

There is something so deeply emotional about an heirloom piece that transcends generations. It is not just an accessory but an element that connects you to your roots, your ancestors and reminds you that you belong somewhere. Oftentimes, a part of your ensembles, these pieces double up as emotional moments that stay with you like a memory framed on the walls of your heart. Manifest speaks to five women about their favourite heirloom pieces that make their way into each of their ensembles and become a part of every joyous occasion.

Arpita Mehta

Designer

“My favourite heirloom is my mother’s all-gold Rolex Datejust watch with a President bracelet. It was a gift from my father—he got it for my mum when he was buying the men’s version for himself, which she gifted to me on my 30th birthday. I’ve grown up seeing both of them wear their Rolexes—and admiring them—so receiving it felt like inheriting a legacy.
My mom always wears a watch on her left wrist, with a diamond band. She kept it clean and never stacked it with anything else, as the watch itself is like a piece of jewellery. I love wearing it with a thin gold bracelet, along with a tennis bracelet, and sometimes I add a coloured bracelet to make the stack more fun and less formal.

Since this timepiece is such a classic gold Rolex, it fits any occasion. I can wear it with jeans and a T-shirt, or even pair it with a sari. What I love about it is that every time I wear it, it gets noticed. I’ve always loved wearing watches, but this heirloom has changed my perspective completely. I don’t just look at design anymore; now I think about value and investment, too. It’s opened me up to a whole new world of luxury and possibilities.”

Farah Ahmed

Co-founder, FADD Studio

“My most prized possession is an exquisite Indo-Victorian jewellery set that belonged to my grandmother. It was passed down to me by my mother a few years ago, shortly after my grandmother passed away. She wanted me to have something that truly belonged to her, something that carried her spirit and grace.

The jewels are crafted in gold and intricately adorned with rubies and opals and date back almost 100 years. It has an old-world charm yet is so timeless. It speaks of an era when jewellery was made with heart and history. Beyond its beauty and craftsmanship, it carries deep emotional value for me. It’s a reminder of the women who came before me; of their strength, elegance, and quiet confidence. Every time I wear it, I feel a connection to my nani, and the memories I have of her…many involving her feeding and dressing me. It connects me to my roots, to the generations that came before me and shaped me.
I remember my grandmother wearing this set on special occasions—never flashy, always understated—and she always looked stunning. I like to wear it sparingly, too, only for moments that feel meaningful. It's not just jewellery—it’s a memory I carry. The set is so delicate, I don’t overwhelm it with too much. I love pairing it in unexpected ways—a simple gold shirt or a chiffon or tissue sari often do the job. The contrast between modern minimalism and vintage delicateness feels just right.”

Kanika Tekriwal

Founder and CEO, JetSetGo Aviation Services Pvt. Ltd

“I absolutely love this vintage Gucci bag that my father had gifted my mother when she was about 17 years old. Back in the day, designer goods weren’t available in India, and pieces like this one were extremely rare to find. The purse is at least 50 years old, made of ostrich skin, with gold-plated hardware. To be honest, my mum didn’t really ‘give’ it to me—I kind of stole it from her when I was about 23 or 24 years old—she would’ve never wanted to part with it! My mum carried it to some very important moments in her life, which makes it extra precious for me. This bag reminds me of a very young version of her, and I wear it when I want to carry a piece of my mother in my heart…when I want to feel happy, and at home. I usually take it with me when I’m travelling for an important conference, or an award ceremony, or any significant event. It pairs well with everything.

Once I told someone that it belonged to my mother, they turned around and said, ‘Your mother must have been one of the most stylish women of her time. That has always stayed with me. This bag has taught me that luxury goods are not about trends, they’re about timelessness—about things that you want to pass down generations, for them to remember you by.”

Rukmini Neil Mukesh

Entrepreneur

“My favourite heirloom piece would definitely be this sari I received from my mother-in-law about four years ago. She had inherited from her great-grandmother-in-law (my father-in-law, Nitin Mukesh’s maternal great-grandmother, whom he lovingly called Ba). It is one of the oldest possessions of the Mukesh family, connecting generations through its sentimental values and serving as a symbol of family legacy.

My father-in-law’s maternal side of the family belonged to Baroda [now Vadodara], and this is a handmade piece from Gujarat. The border is around 200 years old, and is completely hand-embroidered. This kind of embroidery is called marodi, which is a very old and traditional needlework technique from the state. The term ‘marodi’ means twisting, which describes how the metallic threads are twisted and coiled to form various designs. The artisans have used real silver in the threads, so the richness and shine is intact till today.

I have seen photographs of Ba wearing this sari, and I can only imagine how beautiful she would have looked in it in real life. I wear it sparingly… I once wore it with a modern blouse for a dinner party, and it looked gorgeous. I wish I had a photograph that I could share. Another time, for a cousin’s engagement, I styled it with a western shirt and a choker. I’ve also worn it during Navratri, in traditional Gujarati style, with the pallu in front. It is so versatile, you can wear it in so many different ways. I hope to pass it on to my daughter someday, too.”

Alekha Advani

Founder, Way Well

“The heirloom closest to my heart has to be the uncut jadau jewellery set that my mother-in-law gifted me during my wedding roka. It was originally gifted to her by her parents—the legendary Raj Kapoor and Krishna Kapoor—during her own wedding, in the ’70s. It’s a stunning piece from Jaipur, beautifully handcrafted with intricate detailing, featuring that old-world artistry…and it is rich with family history and sentiment. To me, it’s a reminder of the lineage, tradition, and values that continue to shape our family, and a symbol of the strength and grace that’s been passed down through generations.
I first wore it to my mehendi ceremony, which was a small, intimate gathering  at home with my closest friends. I’ve worn it since for other weddings and smaller functions, too; it’s so versatile. I especially love pairing it with contemporary looks—with an Indo-western outfit, or even something as simple as a crisp white shirt. It’s such a striking piece that it instantly elevates any outfit. The biggest compliment I’ve received for it is how it is so perfectly traditional yet so modern and unique. Everyone always points out the colour, it’s such a rare shade, something you don’t often see in jewellery anymore today. It feels timeless, but still very me.”