Yuvati Shah is no ordinary businesswoman. Not only does she own and run the Spa Royale at Gateway’s Royal Palm Hotel, she also designs jewellery for the family business and is regularly commissioned to do unique works of art, discovers ELMI GOUS
Photographs by STEPHEN RAILTON
Following in the footstep of your parents might seem daunting, but Yuvati Shah has taken this to another level.
Despite being petite with gentle mannerisms, there’s no doubting she’s very much a go-getter! With a father in the jewellery business and a mother in the beauty industry, Yuvati has managed to incorporate both these careers into her life.
“My parents have always set such great examples for me,” she says. “My interests don’t lie in one area exclusively, I like to think I can be passionate about both. Besides, I have two fantastic teams which feel the same passion as I do and really help me manage everything.”
After school Yuvati studied somatology at Jill Farquharson College. “I was always very interested in this line of work. My mom was actually one of the first two Indian women to have studied under Jill Farquharson,” she says.
After a year working on cruise liners as a beauty therapist she returned to Durban eager for a new challenge. “My father and grandfather have both been in the jewellery business for years. I had designed a few pieces for them in the past and really enjoyed it, so did an apprenticeship through their business, Ashok Jewellers, and various design courses.”
Growing up in the business meant Yuvati really got to know the inner workings of every single step of the manufacturing process. She even did a diamond grading course at the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Training School.
“I’m so proud of the jewellery we design. We’re involved in every step, from when pencil is first put to paper all the way through to when the stones are set and the final product is revealed. That is what makes us different. The key to a happy client is to really connect with and listen to them. For me, jewellery design is about creating unusual pieces for a woman who wants to be different. It’s about capturing the true essence of her inner beauty.”
Being creative is everything to Yuvati. Her family and friends have always supported and encouraged her to explore her artistic side. “Even as a child, painting and drawing would put a smile on my face,” she grins. “Art has always been my little haven, my home away from home.”
Hardly surprisingly, she’s also painted a few extraordinary pieces in her time, and undertaken a number of commissions. “I love texture, the human form and capturing emotion in my art. Being able to express myself creatively is hugely important to me, whether it’s through my art, the jewellery I design or through the unique décor of my spa. In every aspect of my life I draw inspiration from the world around me.”
When she finds time to relax, Yuvati enjoys coffee with friends in Florida Road and Mediterranean restaurants. “Escaping my daily routine allows me to unwind and refresh my mind,” she says. “I also want to travel more, to experience different cultures and draw inspiration from all the beautiful people and creations around the world. Every time I travel I learn something new, not only about the world, but about myself. It’s such an enriching experience. But having said all that, there’s still no place like home!”