Diamonds as You Dine: Treasures by Tiara Is The Perfect Place To Go Wedding Bauble Buying

If you’ve been on a wedding jewellery buying spree you know the drill—it’s an exercise fraught with visiting spiffy places that work on silence, nods, smiles and quiet conversation. No place for fun, let alone dining while looking at jewellery busts and necklace displays. But a new café at Peddar Road, Mumbai is breaking that mould with a refreshing narrative—it blends the whole jewellery shopping spree with food, fun and friendly banter.

Treasures by Tiara is that place. Launched this May by jewellery designer Tiara Dhody, it has an ease and a richness to it that you'd never expect to accompany your buying. Expect to chill in a cosy café with corners that have shelves lined up with dainty chains, earrings and bracelets, allowing you to bauble browse, but also tuck into some lovely amuse bouches and mains.

The decor to the food, Tiara gets it on point as someone who’s grown up around beautiful jewellery and watching mom Queenie Singh, a stylish dresser in her own right. Since its launch, Treasures By Tiara has got folks dropping in and ordering coffees over crystals, and frappes over French-cut rhinestones. On a rainy morning, Manifest took a peek into the place...

Baroque and bling on your plate

In a space like then when you marry jewellery with food, both things that resonate with everyone, is blending the two together an idea whose time has come? We think so, for if you have been wincing at the thought of jewellery shopping in the run-up to the big day, due to the load of fatigue and despair and of course, wishing it weren’t so boring, this makes for a cool antidote. “It had to happen, we’ve all been through hours of browsing and buying, but nothing that had hospitality added in as a key element. Since we have started this place, the feedback has been great,” informs Tiara.

The place brings the best of both worlds together and for the young Dhody, almunus of Sarah Lawrence College in New York, having also showcased at London Fashion Week, she brings an international perspective honed with her style instinct to the creative table here.

There’s a richness to the vibe here, with its beige-gold walls, wrought-iron chairs, old wood tables all antique mirrors that adorn the wall. The jewels make for a quiet luxury repose, nothing that scream for attention and no loud lighting around. It’s informal, yet fun and she explains: “We started this place to create a good atmosphere for people who want to buy jewellery, but also have fun doing that. I feel now, third spaces in a sense are where everything is at. The idea was to provide a rounded experience, something that girls can relate to; pieces that can be a staple for different occasions. It was an idea close to my heart, and I loved bringing that idea to life.”

Earrings that can go from destination wedding to after partyJewellery that makes for a staple diet

Vying for attention are also clothing rails with outfits all designed by Tiara. You’ll find silk dresses and gowns that feel good and easily jump into the destination wedding. Pair the dresses with the baubles, she suggests. “I’ve only designed things that I would wear, and these pieces would definitely be on my list. For instance, for a cocktail party I would wear an emerald stone choker and for the beach there are beautiful sun and water-inspired pieces. In fact, our first collection was an elemental one, so it was all aqua and earth mixed with music as that is also hugely inspiring to me. These are all pieces that would go with every look. Since I like to party, I like my jewellery to have that vibe. So, you’ll find many pieces here being fun and apt for wedding after parties when you want to go into the room at 12 am, change and get into something comfortable and easy, but also edgy and making a statement.”

‘I’m obsessed with nachos, so that’s on the menu’

The food here takes after Tiara’s heart. It’s a list of things that she goes to in a blink, so naturally when it came to the café’s menu, they found their way on it. “I’m a huge foodie; I love food to death,” she declares and shares: “I enjoy having my comfort foods and that is exactly what I want to share here as well. Like I’m obsessed with nachos; I love having it with chilli oil and the works. While I want it to be indulgent, I’ve also kept the ingredients fresh so health food lovers will relate.” Apart from hot and cold brews, you can tuck into a mushroom and truffle sandwich, burrito rolls, hummus wraps, croissants and parmesan cookies, with makhani bowls if you prefer to have heavier fare.

There’s another lil indulgence on the menu that you cannot miss out on. “It’s apple pie that I grew up on so it’s a family recipe and it’s so nice to see people come in and enjoy it. This is how I wanted it to be. The menu having a lovely, homely feel; like an extension of my own house. But I’m also keeping it larger to include a lot more,” she adds.

Tiara has been working on the present jewellery collection for the past few months and will begin on the next collection in October, a task she’s looking forward to. Having her parents as mentors is also something she values immensely as Tiara notes: Some things and inherent in me; a part of who I am. Like, I am combination of dad and mom. Dad, in fact, is very proud of me. He’s a very creative person himself, having done up restaurants and I admire that and take a lot of advice from him. He’s a great role model to me. And I love getting into jewellery conversations with mom too.”

Wellness and fashion on the agenda

For now, Treasures by Tiara has her own creations, but she’s open to showcasing more. “People have been asking a lot if we can display their jewellery, but for now it’s just my brand. I’m open to collaborations but this is a space where I want to showcase my designs and thoughts.”

Come in and have a coffee or bagel and view what the place has; that’s her only POV. She adds, “It’s not compulsory to buy. I’m glad to have people come in, chill and see the stuff. That’s also part of the whole shopping experience. My friend Shloka Birla just came by and bought a piece of jewellery from me that she loved.”

There’s also a lot of fun planned here, like wellness mornings and a fashion show. “Fashion is a huge part of who I am, so once fashion season gets underway, I want to do a show right here in the café and make it an interactive experience.”

We let you in on a little secret. “On the 11th of July, from 7 am to 11 pm, we’re planning to have an amazing event with complimentary champagne. Girls, you come in, no boys allowed and this is your wardrobe party,” she enthuses, adding, “Guests just browse around, try on stuff, take pictures, play some good music and just enjoy yourself. This is your wardrobe party.” She’s planning to have events like this once a month and dish up seasonal menus, too.

There’s so much to pick up along the way, but what is the key advice from mom Queenie that she holds closest to her heart? “Stick to your gut is a big one and that glamour is to be enjoyed,” smiles Tiara.