Q) What does your company do? How has your journey been thus far?
SAYRAN is a jewelry line designed to create pieces tied to cultural roots, specifically from the SWANA region. I am a Kurdish woman, born and raised in the diaspora, and growing up I didn’t have imagery and tangible pieces to buy in a western market that made me feel seen. So far my journey has been something I am grateful for, I have been able to grow and heal through my work and have met so many inspiring women from the black and brown communities who appreciate my work for the reasons why I had initially started my line to begin with.
Q) What inspired you? What is your “why”?
My Kurdish roots are my number one inspiration. My jewelry is symbolic of those roots on top of drawing inspiration from many cultures and countries in the entire SWANA region. There is so much beauty and history in the region of my roots and I strive to highlight that beauty and bring positive awareness to that part of the world.
Q) What differentiates you from your competitors? What are some challenges that your consumers are facing right now and that you can help with?
To be honest I am trying to eliminate the concept of competing with other brands/companies. I find it to be unhealthy more than anything else. I only compete with myself, in regards to coming up with new concepts and ideas for my brand’s growth. You also eventually come to the realization that although people may be doing the same things, the vision is always unique if it’s true. There’s only one of each brain on the planet and so your ideas and the execution of those ideas is uniquely your own.
Q) How was your experience collaborating with ABW? How else do you practice charity?
I was beyond thrilled to collaborate with ABW and be a little part of the good work they are doing, much love and respect for them, and everything that they do. Practicing charity and giving back to important causes is a part of my brand and I try to do it as often as possible. A few months ago, for example, I was able to raise a good amount of money in a short amount of time to send to the Kurdish Red Crescent on the ground in Rojava (Northern Syria). I created a limited run of earrings and 100% of the sales went directly to the charity. In March I will also be vending at The Arab Conference at Harvard and will be donating 100% of proceeds to Drop Earrings Not Bombs, A Syrian refugee group of women making jewelry as well as to SEEFAR, the Kurdish Migrant Project. It’s both important and necessary to give back to our communities however we can, and will always be an important aspect of what I am doing.
Q) Who is your current favorite accessory?
Hardest question ever (haha). I have loved accessories since I was a little kid. I tell people that if you ever catch me out and about and have no jewelry on then I must be going through something/or having a bad day. Currently, I am back to being obsessed with chain layering around my neck and I love, love a good sunglasses chain.
Sayran, Founder & Designer of SAYRAN
