Definition

The Story

I was coming across a number of clay and acrylic earring makers on social media. I wondered about what such earrings would look like if they were Khmer-inspired. I began looking into acrylic material, laser cutting, and jewelry making. I started off with a handful of sketches and debuted with three designs representing common imagery found in Khmer culture. This was the start of មាលា Mealea Collection.

Mealea Collection is Khmer imagination turned tangible (jewelry, artworks, literature, and merch). It's my commitment to cultural preservation in my own way and honoring my lived experiences as a 2nd generation indigenous Khmer/Krom American. At its core, it's a honest celebration of Khmer culture and heritage.

I hope you love my creations just as much as I enjoy creating them! ♡

"I've struggled to find Khmer owned businesses and Khmer creativity to support. Coming across your page gave me a sense of pride, seeing that the culture is alive and well through your earrings."

Customer Love ❤

"[Your work means] being able to spread awareness of our culture through wearable pieces. It sparks conversations that leads to who I am and where I'm from."

"It's inspiring to see our generation of Khmer women create, produce, and sell products that have so much meaning for us. I love wearing your earrings and have people come up to me and ask where I got them from."

"When I found your page, I felt like I learned so much more about Cambodian culture. I've always loved when you'd showcase your work and talk about Cambodian history, especially when it's about folklore!"

"I deeply resonate with your work and art as a form of healing and ancestral reconnection/remembering, so especially important for the diaspora."

"Your pieces beautifully tie together elements of Cambodian culture and history with your modern and artistic vision. I love how you use your platform to give an in depth description of your inspirations. We love to see Khmer creatives flourish."