Nilofar Jaques: The India-Born Jeweler Behind Taylor Swift’s Latest Album Look
Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl look gets an Indian sparkle as Nilofar Jaques’ Anayah Basbas necklace, studded with cubic zirconia, steals the frame — and the designer is still buzzing.
If you clocked the sparkly choker in Taylor Swift's new album visuals and wondered where it came from, here you go: it is by Indian designer Nilofar Jaques, from her luxury label Anayah. The piece is the Basbas necklace set, and yes, it sells for a very normal-for-celebs price considering the exposure.
The look
Swift wore the Basbas set in the imagery for her 12th studio album, 'The Life of a Showgirl', which dropped October 3, 2025 through Republic Records. The Basbas is set with cubic zirconia stones, not diamonds, which is part of the appeal here: big glam, accessible materials. Jaques posted on Instagram that seeing Swift in her work felt surreal and like a dream realized, and honestly, I get it.
Meet Nilofar Jaques and Anayah
Jaques did more than a decade in investment banking before taking a leap during her maternity break to try her hand at jewelry design. That experiment turned into Anayah in 2019, built on mixing traditional Indian design language with a clean, modern edge. The brand grew fast into a global luxury name, but the core stayed the same: every piece is carefully handcrafted by Indian artisans, with designs meant to feel both of-the-moment and timeless.
The idea is not just sparkle for a night out. Anayah positions its pieces as the kind of thing you can pass down, heirloom-style, without them aging out of relevance. Jaques credits her Indian roots and life in London for the brand's aesthetic balance, which also happens to make it click with an international audience while still honoring where it comes from.
Why this moment matters
When an A-lister puts a craft-driven label front and center, it tends to move the needle for the makers behind it. Indian jewelry has been showing up more in Hollywood and on runways, and Jaques is clear that the category does not need a stamp of approval to be legit. As she told Elle India:
"While global recognition is certainly valuable, the Indian jewelry market is already substantial on its own - thriving and evolving without ever needing external validation."
Jaques is still pushing forward, experimenting with new concepts and materials to keep Anayah's pieces fashion-forward, accessible, and proudly handmade.
The specifics
- Item: Basbas cubic zirconia necklace set
- Brand: Anayah by Nilofar Jaques
- Price: £350.00
- Album: 'The Life of a Showgirl' - Taylor Swift's 12th studio album, released October 3, 2025 via Republic Records
Bottom line: it is a smart, culture-forward pick for Swift, a huge look for a small label, and a reminder that showstopping does not have to mean diamonds.