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Alina Jewellery collection celebrating the diversity of Afghan tribes

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We are delighted that our artisans are working with Sima Vaziry. At Turquoise Mountain we strive for our artisans to produce the best quality products possible and this collaboration has helped them to learn new techniques in jewellery that they might never have been exposed to otherwise. We value the time and effort that each international designer we collaborate with puts into every aspect of working with our artisans, and Sima has gone the extra mile in this respect. We hope that this collection will demonstrate the skill of our artisans and show what can be achieved in Afghanistan. The future of our artisans depends on collaborations such as this.

Turquoise Mountain was established in 2006 by HRH The Prince of Wales to regenerate the Old City of Kabul and to save the Afghan traditional craft industry, to provide jobs, skills and a renewed sense of pride. Since then Turquoise Mountain has regenerated Murad Khani, the heart of Kabul’s Old City, including 150 historic buildings, and established a primary school and a clinic serving over 100,000 patients. Turquoise Mountain has now trained over 5,000 artisans and builders, brought over $6 million of craft products to market and expanded to include projects in Myanmar and the Middle East. Turquoise Mountain has also organised major international exhibitions from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha to The Freer Sackler Gallery in Washington D.C., and established partnerships with prestigious international retailers from Bloomingdales and Kate Spade in New York, to Pippa Small and now Sima Vaziry in London.

Afghanistan is located at the heart of ancient Silk Road trade routes, and for more than 3,500 years it blended traditions from India, Persia and Central Asia into a distinct artistic culture. Decades of civil unrest that began in the 1970s nearly destroyed this vital heritage. Artisans were often forced to leave their country or give up their craft. Murad Khani, the once bustling centre of craft and commerce in Afghanistan’s largest metropolis, fell into ruin. Turquoise Mountain, named for a lost 12th-century city in Afghanistan, is reviving the nation’s proud cultural legacy by transforming Murad Khani into a vibrant cultural and economic hub.

ABOUT THE ARTISANSTurquoise Mountain supports approximately 30 independent craft businesses in Afghanistan, providing training on tax, pricing, design and marketing, as well as international sales assistance. Over 10 of these enterprises are jewellery businesses employing nearly 70 jewellers in Kabul. All of the businesses work with international designers to produce jewellery that is sold globally, while also manufacturing their own designs for the smaller local market.

TURQUOISE MOUNTAIN

Massouda is one of the female entrepreneurs supported by Turquoise

Mountain. She is a role model for other young women in Afghanistan who hope to

follow in her footsteps

Murad Khani is home to a hub of jewellery businesses that make up a community

of artisans. They are supported by Turquoise Mountain but also each other

as they share equipment, tools and most importantly knowledge.

Shoshana Stewart, CEO

Artisan in Kabul at work making the Alina Flower pendant

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Award-winner Sima Vaziry’s work has been recognised by the British Museum for whom she has created several commercial jewellery collections and her jewellery is part of the core range at the British Museum luxury shop.

Sima came into jewellery making as a second career from a graphic design background and after re-training, she launched her own business. It wasn’t long before her work was picked up by the British Museum and her first collection for them became one of their most popular and best selling ranges.

To date, Sima has designed four collections for the British Museum, and has also received enquiries from the Louvre in Paris. Her award winning piece was used on the cover the new book, “Silversmithing for Jewelry Makers”.

Her success has been recognised in the form of press, TV and radio appearances including Sky TV and BBC Persia as well as BBC London radio. Her jewellery designs and personal story have been featured in “Woman & Home”, “Tatler” and “Vogue Italia” online and in all the main trade magazines.

Sima works from her shop at the OXO Tower, where she continues to make her collections, create bespoke items for private clients and supply the British Museum. She also passes on her knowledge through teaching and delivering talks in and around London.

For more information on Sima please go to www.simavaziry.com

ShopUnit 1.03Oxo Tower WharfBarge House StreetLondon SE1 9PH

Opening hours:Tuesday to Sunday,11.00am – 6.00pmClosed Monday

M: +44 (0)7956 10 20 66E: hello@simavaziry.com

SIMA VAZIRY

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Sima Vaziry designed the Alina collection for Turquoise Mountain’s artisans. It has been inspired by the diversity of Afghanistan’s tribes and their coming together to build a peaceful future.

The collection takes embroidery motifs such as stars, flowers and petals combined with Afghan semi-precious stones such as Lapis and Turquoise to create authentic and stunning pieces.

Embroidery in Afghanistan is done by women and young girls who create exquisite work to express themselves. They communicate visual stories to their close relations, from mother to daughter and tribe to tribe and maybe even to the wider world, thus ensuring the survival of their handed down traditions. They are also used to celebrate festive occasions.

They are works of beauty and love, sparkling with motifs and patterns representing the sun, the moon, fruits, animals, landscapes, colours and exotic trees and flowers.

The women equally embroider for their values and their love for their husbands and children. The embroideries serve to decorate fabrics used for curtains, cushions, dresses and shawls amongst others.

Each region has their individual styles and themes to which are added the women’s imagination and story telling and filled with personal pride.

ALINA JEWELLERY COLLECTION

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ALINA BLOSSOM

Alina Blossom pendantSilver with lapisRef. 88406£175.00

Alina Blossom drop earringsSilver with lapis and turquoiseRef. 48408£170.00

Alina Blossom earringsSilver with lapisRef. 48406£155.00

Alina Blossom drop earringsSilver with lapisRef. 48410£45.00

Alina Blossom ringSilver with lapisRef. 98406£145.00

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ALINA STAR

Alina Star pendantSilver with lapis and turquoiseRef. 88106£105.00

Alina Star drop earringsSilver with lapis and turquoiseRef. 48104£135.00

Alina Star pendantSilver with lapis and turquoiseRef. 88106£130.00

Alina Star drop earringsSilver with lapis and turquoiseRef. 48102£155.00

Alina Star pendantSilver with lapis and turquoiseRef. 88102£175.00

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ALINA FLOWER

Alina Flower ringSilver with turquoiseRef. 98204£145.00

Alina Flower stud/drop earringsSilver with turquoiseRef. 48204£150.00

Alina Flower pendantSilver with lapis and turquoiseRef. 88204£160.00

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THE AFGHAN TRIBES PEACE BROOCH

The Afghan Tribes Peace BroochSilver with lapisRef. 78102£285.00

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Turquoise MountainMurad Khani KabulAfghanistanwww.turquoisemountain.orgwww.tmi.edu.af

Sima Vaziry JewelleryUnit 1.03, Oxo Tower WharfBarge House Street, London SE1 9PH+44 (0)7956 10 20 66www.simavaziry.comhello@simavaziry.com