FEATURES • BRANDS
Jewelry with Purpose:
Olamii's Path of Growth
and Mastery
January 2025
Words & Photography by The Punch
Follow the winding paths to Bali’s energizing landscapes, and you might just stumble upon Olamii–a sustainable boutique brand that recharges the island’s natural radiance. Founded by Ola Nechyporenko, an inspiring leader with a deep love for the ocean, Olamii is more than just a jewelry brand; it’s a gentle yet beautiful movement.
Originally from Ukraine, Ola spent a decade calling Bali home before making the lively shores of Byron Bay her new home. With over 15 years in fashion and production, she has mastered the delicate balance of design and branding, turning her vision into something tangible. Her creative process is rich and immersive, dreaming up entire worlds and capturing beauty in the smallest details. Born during the pandemic, Olamii represents the essence of Ola’s journey–a culmination of her expertise and imagination, making a brand that feels both timeless and innovative. At its core, Olamii is leading a new wave in fashion, one that uplifts local communities and supports the restoration and protection of our oceans. Choosing Olamii isn’t just about style; it’s about making choices that resonate with purpose and positivity.
Ola’s deep-rooted connection with her Indonesian partners is the heartbeat of Olamii. She knows that the authenticity and care of the local artisans shape each step of her journey. Sourcing materials exclusively within Indonesia is not merely a business decision but a heartfelt homage to the land and its people. Each piece is made with purpose, honoring the beauty that surrounds them, and mixed with a spirit of respect and intention.
OCEAN'S INFLUENCE & UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS
Ola saw the ocean for the first time at 21. Back in Ukraine, her world was snow and mountains, a rhythm of snowboarding and cold air. But nine months after that first encounter with the sea, she found herself in Bali, creating a new life shaped by waves and saltwater. Now part of a surf community, Ola moves from wave to wave, finding a deep peace in the ocean’s flow–a boundless, inspiring playground where she shares quiet moments with her son, collecting shells along the shore.
Olamii was born on a spontaneous trip to the Gili Islands with friends. While waiting for a boat back to Bali, Ola met Pak Omar, a skilled pearl vendor with an eye for beauty. He made her a pearl choker and bracelet right then and there, pieces that quickly caught the admiration of her friends. That chance encounter drove the establishment of Olamii, a brand that combines Ola’s vision with Pak Omar’s artistry, bringing together the elegance of pearls and the spirit of discovery.
ELEVATING ARTISAN CRAFTSMANSHIP
Olamii’s journey is linked firmly by its strong connection with Pak Omar, the original pearl salesman whose presence remains essential to the brand. Even as Olamii reaches new shores, its roots are planted in local soil. Ola’s commitment to supporting Indonesian businesses runs deep, as she trains recent graduates to step confidently into leadership roles in both production and retail. By sourcing materials exclusively within Indonesia, she makes sure that every step forward is a benefit shared with local suppliers, offering new opportunities in the community.
The pandemic became a time of intentional growth for Olamii, allowing the brand to progress slowly and meaningfully. This period deepened Ola’s connection to her craft and her collaborators–she made personal relationships with suppliers, journeyed to Celuk to find master silversmiths, and built close bonds with local artisans and factories. The team, composed mostly of skilled Indonesian women, has flourished, growing in confidence and leadership with each new endeavor. With partnerships that now span Bali International Airport, Four Seasons, Potato Head, and luxury resorts in the Maldives and Hawaii, Olamii’s expansion is more than growth; it’s a vision that celebrates the hands and hearts behind every creation.
RESPONSIBLE SOURCING WITHIN INDONESIA
At its core, Olamii is driven by a deep respect for the planet, combining sustainability into every choice. The brand’s fidelity to lessening environmental impact is evident in its sourcing–each material is drawn exclusively from Indonesia, with pearls of AAA to 4A grade sourced from the Maluku Islands, where the unique blend of fresh and saltwater imparts rare qualities. Every element of Olamii’s process is rooted in the local landscape, with a strict no-plastic packaging policy, relying only on paper to tread lightly on the earth. Through thoughtful partnerships with local artisans, Olamii is a true embodiment of Indonesian identity–a heartfelt celebration of roots, artisanal skill, and community.
FROM OCEAN TREASURES TO ELEGANT DESIGNS
Guided by the inspiration of the ocean and her journeys, Ola’s creative process often begins with a found treasure–a stunning pearl, a shell, a moment of beauty captured in nature. Recently, a pair of earrings came from a shell she and her son collected, with a design rooted in memory and connection. She sketches each idea, working closely with Ibu Made, the head of production with over 30 years of expertise. Together, they refine every detail, blending Ola’s creative spark with technical mastery. The completed sketches are then passed to skilled silversmiths, who bring each piece to life by hand.
This spirit of collaboration fuels Olamii, uniting Ola’s designs, Ibu Made’s precise craft, and the artistry of local silversmiths. The pieces radiate simplicity laced with elegance, each one a nod to nature’s grace. The “Golden Hour” earrings are all about the fleeting warmth of a sunset, while ocean-inspired designs echo the sea’s shimmering light. Olamii’s latest collection, “Tresor”, took shape after a family trip to Hawaii, where Ola and her family collected shells adorned with delicate swirls. These shells, now preserved in resin and encased in silver, have been transformed into keepsakes meant to last. Ola imagines her pieces worn by confident women who seek out distinctive designs, each piece a quiet tribute to their natural beauty.
A MINDFUL APPROACH TO WASTE
Olamii takes on a thoughtful, waste-conscious principle, making each piece on demand to make sure that quality, not quantity, remains at the heart of the brand. This approach has kept Olamii firmly rooted in the resort market, creating timeless jewelry that is more than a fleeting trend. Each item rises from a careful artisanal process, produced in small batches that celebrate the rhythm of slow creation.
Sourcing materials from within Indonesia, Olamii naturally sustains plastic-free packaging and eco-friendly shipping practices. Through social media, the brand shares insights on the value of quality and longevity in jewelry, encouraging a mindful connection with each piece. Olamii’s creations feature gold vermeil–a luxurious layer of gold over silver, protected by a nano-ceramic coating that ensures durability and is gentle on the skin. To extend the life of each piece, Olamii even offers a “spa service” for cleaning and restoring, allowing each item to be treasured, perhaps passed down, as a keepsake for generations to come.
SUPPORTING HUMANITY, RESTORING REEFS
Olamii was born in the heart of the pandemic, a time that made space for building genuine connections and lifting local businesses in need. When the conflict in Ukraine erupted in 2022, Ola was faced with a profound personal challenge. Instead of retreating, she channeled her pain into purpose, pledging 100% of the brand’s profits to support her homeland, turning a time of hardship into a mission of hope.
The ocean, Olamii’s soulful muse, is the brand’s purpose and partnership. This reverence for the sea led to a collaboration with Coral Gardeners, a Tahitian initiative dedicated to restoring and replanting coral reefs. Now, with every purchase, a portion goes directly toward global reef restoration–an effort that strikes a powerful chord with Ola. For her, the ocean is the heartbeat of our planet, and giving back is part of Olamii’s core, showing a duty to humanity and the world we share.
EMBRACING MISTAKES & ENJOYING THE PROCESS
What began as a playful project quickly turned into something deeply meaningful for Olamii. From sketching out initial designs to learning the ebb and flow of the business world, the journey has stoked a fierce passion within Ola. No longer confined to Bali’s shores, Olamii has set sail, making connections with visionary minds and boutiques around the globe.
Partnering with top-tier resort brands and diving into two major collaborations has been a thrilling ride. Each year brings new chapters, from showcasing at the world’s premier resort trade shows to traveling from Paris to Miami. As Olamii’s reach expands internationally, the anticipation builds–what could be next? The dream is to take Olamii further, to see its creations gracing new spaces, perhaps even making their way to the digital shelves of Net-A-Porter.
For Ola, Olamii is more than a brand–it’s a journey fueled by conscious intentions, genuine relationships, and a love for the process. She believes true success is born from passion, carving out a unique space, and embracing a responsibility to create positive change. Mistakes are just stepping stones, each one guiding her forward with kindness, joy, and a signature smile lighting the way.
EXPLORE THE FULL STORY IN UNCOVERED BALI BOOK
Uncovered Bali is a collective project showcasing the sustainable journeys of carefully selected Bali businesses to a global audience. Each story highlights the unique impact these enterprises have on preserving Bali’s cultural and environmental heritage while driving positive change. Through this project, we aim to inspire global leaders, travelers, and communities to embrace more sustainable practices and appreciate the powerful role that local businesses play in shaping a better future.
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