Sima Vaziry designs a new collection for Turquoise Mountain

Alina collection for Turquoise Mountain

May 2018

Sima’s latest collection, “Alina” was created in collaboration with Turquoise Mountain and celebrates the diversity of the Afghan tribes.

Turquoise Mountain, a British not-for-profit organization, aims to support traditional Afghan craft by connecting artisan businesses with designers and retailers across the globe. This latest collaboration unites Sima Vaziry, an award-winning jewellery designer and maker based in London, with Afghan jewellery businesses based in Kabul.

Afghanistan’s population is made up of several ethnic groups or tribes. Despite these tribes collectively residing in the region for hundreds of years they each have their own distinctive ways of living, defined by unwritten codes. It is this variety across these cultures, and especially in their embroidery, that has inspired this collection.

It was important for Sima that a female voice and viewpoint should be used as her inspiration; partly to tell the story of another side of Afghanistan, but also to celebrate the creativity and skills of these Afghan women. Embroidery is a craft that women have traditionally used to express themselves all across the world. Stories are told, love is demonstrated, and creativity is encouraged and admired.

Sima has designed eight collections featuring inspiration from eight of the largest Afghan tribes. Each collection takes its name from a women’s name that is popular in Afghanistan.

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

The highlight of the collection is the Afghan Tribes Peace Brooch which features charms that represent the different tribes.

The full Alina collection is available for purchase at the Sima Vaziry shop at the Oxo Tower:
Unit 1.03, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH, T: +44 (0)7956 10 20 66

Or on the web:
Online shop

For more information on Turquoise Mountain and the Afghan artisans please go to www.turquoisemountain.org