Story
The inspiration
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 that provided the inspiration for British jewellery designer Millie Marks to create a collection for ISHKAR. By filling the blast marks with Afghanistan's precious stones - spinel and lapis lazuli - her collection symbolises Afghanistan's defiant beauty and resilience.