FEATURES • BRANDS
Olamii: Crafting Sustainable
Luxury Jewelry with Purpose
Olamii: Crafting Sustainable Luxury Jewelry with Purpose
Experience the essence of Bali through Olamii, a sustainable, boutique jewelry brand that encapsulates the spirit of the island. Founded by Ola Nechyporenko, Olamii is more than just jewelry; it's a profound love for the ocean and a dedication to empowering local communities while preserving the environment.
Ola's journey began amidst the urban landscape of Ukraine, where her fascination with the ocean first took root. Venturing across Oceania and Indonesia in her twenties, she eventually found her sanctuary in Bali, where her connection with the ocean deepened. For Ola, the ocean symbolizes serenity, self-discovery, and cherished moments with loved ones. Each piece crafted by Olamii is Ola's heartfelt homage to the ocean, inspired by its beauty and tranquility.
April 2024 • Words & Photography by The Punch
ABOUT THE BRAND
Olamii stands firm in the belief that creating exquisite jewellery should not compromise values, the planet, nor communities.
A FORTUITOUS MEETING: OLAMII'S BEGUINNING
Olamii's journey into crafting luxurious, sustainable jewelry started unexpectedly when Ola encountered Pak Omar, a local pearl craftsman, on the shores of the Gillis. This chance meeting sparked a collaboration that has become central to Olamii's values. Driven by Ola's resolve, Olamii became a source of hope during the pandemic, breathing life into local communities by offering fair wages and avenues for development.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH REAL CONNECTIONS
Olamii stands firm in the belief that creating exquisite jewellery should not compromise values, the planet, nor communities. Born amid the challenges of the pandemic, Olamii not only breathed new life into their founder, Ola, but also became a lifeline for Indonesian locals. They had found themselves in survival-mode due to the absence of tourists. Ensuring fair wages, each Olamii purchase serves as a catalyst for the revival of local businesses. The close-knit team in Kerobokan (Bali), led by Ola, is characterised by a genuine, compassionate connection not often found in a workplace. Being a hard worker herself, Ola loves to empower others with the same drive. She gives opportunities to women without any background in the industry, trains them from scratch, all the while fostering a healthy working environment and fair pay. Ola hasn’t only been crafting jewellery with Olamii but also built a small community that thrives on empowerment, compassion, and sustainability.
A SUSTAINABLE JOURNEY TO PRIME QUALITY
Olamii is a steadfast advocate for sustainable practices and a thriving circular economy. Being well aware of the fashion industry’s significant carbon footprint, Olamii actively makes conscious choices to lower their impact on the environment. Central to this effort is the brand’s dedication to sourcing their materials exclusively within Indonesia. The brand proudly selects pearls from the pristine Maluku Islands, ensuring the highest quality with a focus on AAA or AAAA pearls – which have the cleanest lustre. The silver and gold from Papua, adds even more authenticity to every piece.
The meticulous production process of each of Olamii’s designs takes place in the mountains of Bali. The brand works exclusively with local, skilled artisans that craft each piece by hand, minimizing their environmental impact. To ensure the highest quality possible, each design is made of fine Papuan silver plated with Papuan gold. This is an expensive, yet sustainable process that results in jewellery of unparalleled quality. On top of that Olamii offers a replating and polishing service, because they believe jewellery should last a lifetime.
Olamii's waste management strategy revolves around small-batch production - “Quality over quantity” as Ola puts it perfectly. They don’t deal with any end-of-season surpluses and promote a slower, more mindful approach to fashion. The brand challenges traditional marketing trends and inspires its customers to buy consciously by staying true to its own pace when designing new collections. Olamii goes the extra mile by using handmade, stylish yet plastic-free boxes. And, to make their worldwide deliveries even more sustainable, they opt for recycled packaging.
"By prioritising local sourcing,
local and generational craftsmanship, and mindful waste reduction, Olamii sets a remarkable example of how sustainable practices can redefine the narrative of the fashion industry."
COMMITMENT 1
Sustainable Management
By documenting and implementing a clear sustainability plan, Olamii and its team are demonstrating their commitment to the environment and their communities.
COMMITMENT 2
Cultural Interaction & Heritage
By incorporating authentic elements of traditional culture in their products and operations, Olamii is committed to celebrating and preserving Bali’s local cultural heritage.
COMMITMENT 3
Sustainable & Local Sourcing
By giving priority to sustainable, local, Fairtrade, organic and/ or recycled produce, Olamii is emitting less carbon emissions while celebrating the local economy.
COMMITMENT 4
Equal & Local Employment
By giving equal opportunities to local residents including management positions, Olamii is promoting diversity and elevating employees engagement.
COMMITMENT 5
No Single Use Plastic
By not using single use plastics, Olamii is minimizing by millions the amount of plastic ending up in the streets, in the rivers and in the ocean.
COMMITMENT 6
Waste Management
By having a clear waste management plan in place with actions to reduce, separate and reuse / recycle waste, Olamii is not only minimizing the amount of waste in Bali; the brand is also leading the example to their employees and customers.
COMMITMENT 7
Sustainable Packaging
By using sustainable, natural, recycled and/or biodegradable packaging, Olamii is significantly reducing their environmental impact.
COMMITMENT 8
Water Conservation
By using equipment and practices to conserve water, Olamii is contributed to the well-being of the environment and their communities.
COMMITMENT 9
Biodiversity Conservation
By actively supporting, protecting, and promoting biodiversity, Olamii is contributing to ecosystem productivity and improving the life support system for our planet.
COMMITMENT 10
Community Support
By supporting their local community through various ways, Olamii is offering jobs, providing goods, services, and financial support to their community.
COMMITMENT 11
Accessibility for All
By having their site, activities and operations accessible for all, Olamii is promoting equality and diversity in Bali.
COMMITMENT 12
Consumer Awareness
By providing accurate and transparent communication regarding the company’s sustainable practices and goals, Olamii helping consumers make better purchase decisions.
A GLOBAL IMPACT: OLAMII'S MISSION BEYOND JEWELRY
In addition to the brand's sustainable initiatives, Olamii is profoundly dedicated to making a positive global impact. Recent events in Ola's home country of Ukraine have deeply affected her, prompting her to take action. Through the support of Olamii's customers, she successfully raised $12,000 USD for Ukraine, enabling direct assistance to those impacted by the tragic events.
Moreover, Olamii has forged a partnership with Coral Gardeners, a charity focused on coral reef restoration. Coral Gardeners' mission is to transform ocean conservation by spearheading active reef restoration, awareness campaigns, and innovative solutions to safeguard the world's coral reefs. Given Ola's personal connection with the ocean, it was a natural decision for Olamii to contribute to the revival of the reef ecosystem.
TOWARDS THE FUTURE: VISION & ASPIRATIONS
Looking ahead, Olamii envisions a future defined by authenticity and collaboration. Eschewing fleeting trends, the brand aims to inspire customers to embrace their individuality boldly. With aspirations for partnerships with influential platforms like Net-a-Porter, Olamii's trajectory knows no bounds under Ola's visionary leadership.
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