By Aisha Hassan on November 4th, 2020
Stand out from the crowd
ALT jewelry is designed to make a unique style statement. “People want more individuality and an ALT piece is not conventional,” founder Angie Lai Tay says. Angie takes inspiration from geometric shapes and architecture to create the brand’s bold pieces, which are all created from upcycled metals. The Asher Ring, for example, is influenced by colonial heritage buildings in Malaysia and Singapore. “If you wear it, you’ll stand out,” Angie says.
Every ALT accessory is also welded and shaped by hand because it adds personality. “I like pieces that have character, which is why I insist every piece is handmade rather than factory made,” Angie says. “Feel is very important, and every cut or line shouldn’t be perfect.”
Made to last
Angie designs with versatility, longevity, and quality in mind. This is why every ALT piece is coated in at least 2.5 microns of precious metals — higher than other brands at this price point — to ensure no tarnishing. ALT jewelry is also adjustable so that sizing isn’t an issue, and the high-quality craftsmanship means these pieces don’t damage. Whether you’re buying ALT as a gift or you wish to change where you wear each piece, the neck cuffs, rings, and wrist cuffs can all be customized for the perfect fit.
Versatility and quality also play key roles in ALT’s production process. The base metals of ALT jewelry, which are largely crafted by Cambodian artisans, are upcycled bombshell casings. ALT aims to reuse and transform these materials into symbols of strength and peace. ALT also strives to create high-quality working conditions for its artisans.
“As a person you need to have your North Star, and mine is about helping others, so if I ever had a brand it has to be produced sustainably and the workers need to be paid fairly,” Angie says. “If you just try to make it cheap, it doesn’t benefit anyone. Not the buyer, not the planet, not the people making it.”
Shop meaningfully
ALT believes in showcasing bold aesthetics while encouraging conscious consumerism. “When you buy an ALT piece you feel you are doing something good rather than just mindless consumption, and that in itself is strength,” Angie says. It’s no surprise that Angie describes the ALT muse as having a strong sense of individuality and values. She points out that if someone says they care for the world, shopping mindfully is a good place to start.
“Whatever we buy is extremely important,” Angie says. “Why not help the Earth and artisans in Southeast Asian countries?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aisha Hassan is a writer, journalist, and co-founder of Dia. Previously, Aisha worked for Quartz in New York and Harper’s Bazaar in Malaysia. Her fiction has been published in international literary magazines. She has a bachelor’s degree in English Language & Literature from the University of Oxford, and a master’s degree from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism.
