Gallery N can be best described as an exhibition of artistic, bold, uniquely designed jewellery, that showcases handmade work of Nina Tryndina, founder and jewellery designer.
It is a brand that showcases a range of natural, fresh, timeless and clean aesthetic jewellery pieces. Some of the designs, exhibit an eclectic flair, deliberately blending vintage and modern design elements giving a captivating interplay and adding depth and character to the jewellery.
“My pieces are bold and experimental, shaped by a love for rough, stone-like textures you don’t usually see in jewellery. I don’t follow trends. I follow form, feel, and the story each piece wants to tell,” says Nina.
The Gallery N statement pieces are designed to be a focal point of an outfit, expressing individuality and creating a strong visual impact.
“I find inspiration in nature, stones, textures, and cosmic shapes. I then sketch and sculpt each piece by hand until it feels bold, balanced, and alive,” she says.
Born in Siberia, a large region located in Northern Asia, in Russia, but currently lives in San Francisco, in California, United States of America, Nina says the two different worlds have shaped how she sees and creates her jewellery.
“I’ve always loved sculpting, painting and dressing up, but I could never find the perfect jewellery to match how I felt. So I started making my own jewellery pieces,” says Nina.
“I believe jewellery should speak for itself. It’s not only about the designer, but about the energy it carries, and how it makes you feel. I make jewellery for open minds, outside-the-box thinkers, and anyone brave enough to wear art on their skin,” she says.
All Gallery N jewellery are handmade in small batches. Nina says, every ring, earring, or bracelet feels personal and intentional. She says that she keeps her footprint as light as possible by using mindful materials, and making only what is needed and uses recyclable, plastic-free materials all the time.
Sustainability, for us, has not been merely a practice but a transformative mindset. As we tuned in to the world of upcycling, we discovered a powerful tool for empowerment, particularly for those navigating life with limited resources and aspirations stifled by circumstance.
While the terms “upcycling” and “recycling” are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct approaches with different environmental impacts. Recycling involves breaking down materials to create new products, a process that, though valuable, can consume substantial energy and resources.
Upcycling, on the other hand, takes a different route. It’s a creative transformation that Instead breathes new life into discarded items, elevating them into higher-value products. This approach significantly reduces the demand for additional resources and energy, making it a more sustainable and eco-friendly method.
For us at Maisha, upcycling isn’t just a technique; it’s a core principle that defines our brand. We are not just crafting beautiful fashion pieces; we aspire to make a profound impact on the lives of those we support. Our commitment extends beyond the aesthetics. It’s a promise to be at the forefront of a sustainable style revolution, where every stitch tells a story of creativity, consciousness, and transformation.
Many individuals we work with come from backgrounds where aspirations often take a back seat due to limited resources. Empowerment through upcycling is a journey of self-discovery. By encouraging individuals to look around and recognize the potential in what others might discard, we instill a belief that they can build the life they desire.
The shift towards an upcycling mindset encourages resourcefulness, resilience, and the acknowledgment that beauty and potential exist even in what society deems as ‘waste.’
Embracing upcycled fashion isn’t just about wearing unique pieces; it’s about endorsing a sustainable style revolution. It’s about recognizing that every discarded item has the potential to be something more, and every individual, regardless of their background, has the power to shape their destiny.
Maisha by nisria is a non-profit fashion and design studio from Nakuru Kenya that creates unique and handmade clothes from upcycled materials. Maisha offers a unique approach to fashion; We challenge the linear treatment of unused textiles by employing upcycling and creative reuse, to transform old clothing and fabrics into contemporary fashion pieces.
Throughout the years I could always recognize how vulnerable young adults received the least attention from social organizations and contributors. When it comes to clothes, they are either excluded or they would receive worn-out clothes that are not suitable to wear. Hence for a long time, I wanted to create a project where we could teach young adults how to make their clothes from waste textiles and repurpose the worn-out clothes they receive into fashionable pieces.
The Maisha by nisria project was inspired by my grandmothers. Growing up I could always see how they transformed curtains into dresses, towels into rugs, pillowcases into sacks, and so on. Late 2021 I was approached by my late friend Randah Taher and she asked me if there was a project that I would want to implement that she could fund and support. She wanted to honor her late mother’s memory through a social project and suggested a couple of ideas, the up-cycled fashion project was one of them and she picked it without hesitation.
We started the project with one sewing machine and we flew our first designer, Shak the Label from Egypt to Kenya where he kickstarted the project and we started a journey of exploring and experimenting. We named it Maisha to honor Randah’s mom, Hayat, which means “life” in Arabic. This name also symbolizes our mission to help young adults transform their lives by learning a new skill that can be their way of making a living. Additionally, we’re giving a fresh start to clothes and fabrics, shaping them into something new and meaningful. Today, Maisha by nisria is a full-on workshop in Nakuru, Kenya that is functioning as a learning space and a boutique that produces one-of-one pieces that are sold on our website and in stores in Nairobi.
Under the creative leadership of Tausi Conde and the guidance of teaching master Karungaru Miriam, the project has flourished. The current team, which has grown significantly, works tirelessly towards its goals; More than 15 beneficiaries have already been part of the project, with some transitioning into full-time designers and tailors for the workshop, a testament to the transformative power of Maisha by Nisria.
