Collection: BAMIYAN COLLECTION

Afghanistan was once home to the tallest standing Buddhas in the world. Having looked out across the verdant Bamiyan valley for more than 13 centuries, in 2001 the Taliban turned their RPGs on the monuments, leaving behind empty niches. It is these niches (pictured here during our latest trip to Bamiyan) that provided the inspiration for British jewellery designer, Millie Marks to create a collection for ISHKAR.

Mille took the Buddha's as her central motif, to create a collection for ISHKAR which speaks of Afghanistan's rich history, tragic recent past, and optimistic future. By filling the blast marks with Afghanistan's precious stones - spinel, and lapis lazuli - her collection symbolizes Afghanistan's defiant beauty and resilience.