T

radition meets modernity in a new local jewel-art brand Sikra Mahto.

Sikra Mahto is an Indonesian jewel-art brand based in Tokyo, Japan, founded by sisters Dilah Sasri Indra, Aras Ratri Kara, along with their friend Miki Eto. The brand was established in June 2011 as a result of their strong education backgrounds in product, textile and fashion designs — plus their mutual interests and relationship.

Sikra Mahto is an anagram from the names of the three founders, which creates a new concept of Indonesian ethnicity mixed with Tokyo’s minimalist simplicity. As they spread laughter, bliss and positive energy, and they philosophy “ethnic feel stuck in metropolis”, Sikra Mahto offers accessories with identity, combining traditional voices with a modern whisper.

Targeting men and women aged 20 and above, Sikra’s customers are those who not only love jewelry and accessories, but also those who highly appreciate art – emphasizing that their brand is not just a “product” but also an “artwork”.

There is only one of each artwork produced, and every one is handmade with a serial number on the packaging to ensure that there is only one of every item in the world. Their artwork varies from bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings and pins, with prices ranging from ¥2000 (US$25.9) up to ¥5,000.

July 2011 saw the brand’s debut collection entitled Spezie, which means spice in Italian. Taking their inspiration from various Italian spices, such as basil and oregano, they made those spices into artworks, with colors and shapes. Sikra Mahto showcased their very first collection at Design Festa Gallery Harajuku, in Tokyo, Japan, and managed to sell every item.

Their second collection was launched in December 2011, called Terjebak Masa Lalu (Caught in the past), which is inspired by past times in Indonesia and the influences of Chinese, Dutch and Hindu customs. Terjebak Masa Lalu brought 66 artworks, with six different sub-themes, Opium Empire, Nanking Lust, Indische Party, Colonial Elite, Kromo Inggil and Mahayana — taken from old Indonesian architecture, historical moments and temples.

“I went to Indonesia in summer 2011. When I visited Kota Tua and saw the city view; I realized that Indonesia is such a faraway place from Japan with a unique history. When I heard the word ‘Indonesia’ the first thing that popped into my head wasn’t an image of a tropical country, but the people, the city and the nature with rich colors and histories.

So wearing Sikra Mahto allows me to feel part of Indonesian history,” wrote Shiori Sakihama, a 20-year-old Japanese and an avid fan of Sikra Mahto. When asked about Sikra Mahto being an agent for spreading Indonesian culture in Japan, Aras absolutely agreed and pointed out that through their brand, they can produce something new by combining Indonesian and Japanese culture.

As for Aras, Sasri and Miki, they all hope that in the next three years Sikra Mahto will be a big company with their own atelier and regular customers in Japan, Indonesia and all over the world. Sasri also added “that as a company, we will make a new field of work in Indonesia for people who love art”.

Sikra Mahto will launch their third collection in April 2012, “it’s inspired by Japanese movies, for the rest, just guess!” said Aras commenting on the theme for their next collection.

The brand offers worldwide shipping from Japan and you can purchase their products online through sikramahto.blogspot.com or its Facebook page.