Words by Jumana

“Anbalange: A shelter built on the Southern side of a house for womenfolk to gather or to carry out special tasks”

~ Hassan Hameed ~A History of Maldivian Architecture: Part 1

Have you ever been around a group of people whose kindness and warmth was like gravity? It sucks you in and surrounds you in a gentle cocoon like you have always belonged; laughing and cracking jokes where you forget that you only met a few minutes ago. Sit down with the ladies of Anbalange @anbalange.mv and that is exactly what you will get. We at Kaleo were lucky enough to experience this first hand.

It was the lockdown days, circa 2021 post-pandemic. Baskets, custom works and macrame tote bags in tones of terracotta, dusty pink and earthy teal were the works of art at @threadsandweaves where sisters, Khadheeja Nazwa (Hajja) and Aminath Julaila (Julie) began the first weaves that launched a meeting of fates. Julie had a background in graphic design since her days at Haveeru and Hajja’s art therapy page @hajjanazwa.art is still where embroidery brings the black and whites of iconic historical photographs to life.

An executive in the Business Development department at a government organization juggling a very busy schedule, Mariyam Ibrahim (Mari) had always nurtured her creative side; be it sewing intricate children’s partywear or pouring out concrete art. Little did she know that she was about to spot the blue and gray poster that would change her life. On that note, graphic designer at State television channel PSM, Aishath Rifqa Azim (Riff) would also soon be fully utilizing her arsenal of skills acquired over the years working in the business.

“This whole first year has passed and we have been getting to know one another as partners.. The most interesting thing is that each of them has a wonderful talent specific to them. That is something I really loved about them.”

~ Shadhy ~Founder and MD

Back in 2021, the application deadline loomed for the first ever course in Maldives at the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT) in collaboration with the Meery Project and Ministry of Higher Education. Around nineteen women and one man joined the initial three months of online classes, led by Hathim Sir from jeweler’s island, Ribundhoo. Unbeknownst to these students, they were also awaiting a new addition who wasn’t aware that the course commenced due to a clerical error. This student would go on to light the spark and pioneer the first ever woman-led fineline jewelry brand in the Maldives.

The founder of this beautiful enterprise and the brains that saw the wondrous union of Anbalange, Shadhya Adeel Jaleel (Shadhy) was awaiting the call from MIT regarding the course she applied to. One of the founders of the small business with a cult following since 2016 with @islesofjewels, Shadhy is a self-taught aficionado of the intricate demands of bead weaving and more. Throughout the duration of the class, a strong bond was forged between the five women amid laughter and creative freefall. While the MIT course touched base on the entrepreneurial side of jewelry making, students were also required to submit a mock proposal and presentation as part of the final assignment.

“I actually loved her presentation. Maybe because it was something that was meant to be in our future. I felt something when Shadhy presented Anbalange”

~ Julie ~
Co-founder and Director / Design

“While I was doing my presentation, I actually wrote that ‘this is a female-founded company with the name Anbalange” Shadhy recalled that fateful assignment that came true. “They didn’t know that I was planning this from the beginning. The proposal, if you read it, will show that it was exactly what is happening right now”. The team was initially told of Shadhy’s brainchild of creating a studio where space could be rented out for each to do their own work. After doing the due diligence with a business consulting firm, the idea of working together was born.

“More than the presentation, I was nervous to talk to them. We went for a coffee after the presentation where we had the talk”

~ Shadhy ~
Founder and MD

The hours put into creating these one-of-a-kind pieces can’t possibly be the only measure for calculating the final cost. The team has been working around the clock while undertaking renovations, logistics and financing the business. Looking back at the beginning, the ladies recalled how they would repeatedly melt the pieces that didn’t turn out the way they wanted and how the team kept trying different techniques while bouncing ideas off one another. “We want to perfect it. We just don’t give up. We keep at it, melting, hammering, polishing, cutting…Then it creates something very beautiful in the end”, said Shadhy.

As for working within a team of people with diverse needs and thoughts, “We call this place our stress-free zone” Riff added. In a place where they literally work with fire, being mindful and present is paramount. Pioneering in what may be the most progressive staff wellbeing approach within the Maldivian workforce, anyone who works under the beautifully arched white ceilings of Anbalange are allowed a day off when “life happens” and personal issues come up. The team all agree that the key to working together lies in patience, understanding and communication.

“Sometimes with such a busy schedule, it gets hard to do all this and manage time. But I am so happy that those who are my partners are so perfect because they support me and there is no pressure from Anbalange”

~Mari~Co-founder and Director / HR

While the one-of-a-kind sea glass bracelets recently went viral online practically overnight and sold out in a flash, the ladies of Anbalange look forward to working with different materials like gold and maneuvering plating in the future. When asked about the now trademark arched shape of Anbalange logo embedded within the jewelry, the team talked about how this past year has been a combination of working together and painstakingly honing on these types of details. Each arched metal is attentively cut out and perfected despite burn accidents and the telltale “bend” of a jewelers finger.

“We don’t actually think about whether we are making a (profit) right now. Simply because we just really love making the jewelry. The thing on our minds is, “what is next”…. We want to bring out jewelry pieces that are really beautiful and can be treasured forever”

~ Hajja ~Co-founder and Director / Sales & Marketing 

The team expressed hopes of expanding and adding staff as orders pour in and different collections are added. “MIT is still conducting the program so those are also potential staff if they would like to come work with us here” Shadhy hinted at the desire to grow their team. We can also look forward to March of 2023 as the brand debuts a new collection alongside what is sure to be a mesmerizing art gallery exhibit.

“When it comes to advise for future entrepreneurs, believe in yourself, and do what you love. Take the leap. That is something that is really important to me actually, because I have never done something like this to this scale before…but I feel so free here”.

 ~ Riff ~
Co-founder and Director / IT / Sales & Marketing