Kazakh jewelry brand TuLOla made a bold entrance at Milan Fashion Week, unveiling a collection featuring striking pieces crafted from stabilized coal.
TuLOla’s founder, Olga Zeller, began creating accessories in 2016, initially using natural materials. She introduced coal to her designs in 2019.
Zeller explained that the coal she selects for her jewelry differs from the coal used for heating. She described a specific process: each piece must be hand-selected for suitable qualities, which makes the process expensive.
She added, «But the company I buy from already knows what I do and always brings me a bucket of anthracite [a hard, lustrous coal with the highest carbon content].»
Over time, Zeller developed a technique to stabilize the material so that her pieces don’t stain leather and maintain their shape.
Notably, for her Milan presentation, Zeller invited friends and acquaintances to model her jewelry, preferring «real women» to professional models. She required a minimum height of 165 centimeters (about 5 feet 5 inches) and balanced proportions. Participants completed brief training before the trip. The group included women of various ages and backgrounds, the youngest being 23.
In November, Zeller plans to present her collection at Kazakhstan Fashion Day and Turkey Fashion Week, continuing her mission to bring Kazakh artistry and unique materials to the global stage.
