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Alke Jewellery | PR Designer

Writer's picture: Annika FernandoAnnika Fernando

'Good Design is Sustainable Design' stated Imran Amed of Business of Fashion and that is exactly what Sara Nazoor of Alke is testament to. Sara is a designer who welcomes a challenge and as we've got to know her, we've learned that it is obstacles in her path which in fact drive her.

Alke launched at PR in 2020 which her glass shard-resembling sculptural limited edition jewellery. We were fascinated by her statement pieces crafted with upcycled PET plastic and her creativity.

This March at PR, we celebrate her work and creativity with a unique display in the gallery walkway to the store.

Learning to be more waste-responsible is something we should all strive for and we love brands who are creative with up cycling.

We interviewed Sara on her journey in jewellery design and Alke to support the brand's focus at PR this month.



Sara was just 13 years old when she made her first piece of jewellery, imitating her elder sister who would remake her old jewellery into new pieces. It became a hobby, a means of relaxation and a form of expression for her. The interest grew and she sought inspiration and was excited to her ideas materialize.

Whilst pursuing a higher education in Psychology Sara self taught herself techniques in jewellery crafting, volunteered at fashion events whenever she had an opportunity and studied jewellery design books.



' I received an opportunity to showcase at Artwalk in 2015 and in 2016 I participated in an international art and design competition and was placed 3rd. I wasn't able to accept the scholarship which was offered with the award but the acknowledgement encouraged my to write to jewellery stores in Colombo asking for an opportunity for an internship.'

Check out her new pieces, pay attention to their names and what has inspired Sara and the design - a place, a feeling but all local and Sri Lankan. Through these names you see her interest in community emerge, her love for the South Coast and her passion for design and architecture.

The new Moon Bastion Earrings is named after the Moon Bastion in the Galle Fort, Sara's favourite spot to watch the sun set. The new Constrained Within Cuff inspired by community members who feel conflicted by the bonds which both trap and strengthen them.


Every challenge placed in Sara's path has been an opportunity for her to push herself further. She hasn't felt discouraged by obstacles instead she actually chooses to challenge herself.

What does Alke mean? In Greek mythology, the name Alke /ˈælkiː/ (Ancient Greek: Ἁλκή means "prowess, courage") - the spirit and personification of the abstract concept of courage and battle-strength.


' At the time I felt it suited my journey and I've held on to the name. '

Sara's uses manipulated PET and brass wire and sheets in her jewellery design. In this new capsule in store, yarn from waste fabric also makes an appearance, woven in and out of the sheets. The PET in it's transparent form and in vibrant green and warm brown resembles formed glass and shards.

' I spend time researching the components of waste material - can it be manipulated, can we set stones into it, how much heat can it withstand, is it safe and if not, how can we make it so.'

It was one event in 2017 which sparked many Sri Lankan residents to become more waste responsible. Sara was part of a team of volunteers who worked at the relief camps after the Meethotamulla landslide and in the same year volunteered for a clean up at Adam's Peak and was involved in organizing a mental health relief program during floods. All these events inspired Sara to be part of a solution.

'Dakuna' is the name of her new collection and it explores the designer's relationship with the Southern part of the island as Sara's parents are originally from Galle and her childhood holidays were spent at her grandparents home there.

Every piece in Alke's collection is a limited edition item, not in just purely the fact that it is made by her hands.

Actually when she first launched in store, she was reluctant to make even a second piece. Now Sara limits it to a small number of 4-6 in each design.


Sara wants to tell stories, her inspiration is personal and she doesn't like to feel bound by her designs.

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41 Horton Place, Colombo 7, Sri lanka
T  (+94)112699921 / (+94)763177100
E  shop@pr.lk

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