About ako & sila
Some names carry meaning before a single word is spoken.
The one who chose each piece — Jovelyn, founder and buyer, who travels Southeast Asia with a single question in mind: will this enhance the person who wears it?
You. The customer. The person for whom every piece was chosen. A thread of intention connecting maker to wearer before the piece is even lifted from the display.
In Tagalog, the simplest words imaginable. Behind that simplicity sits something more considered. That idea did not come from a branding exercise. It came from a life.
Jovelyn’s Story
Jovelyn grew up in Villamore, a small community in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao — the youngest daughter in a family of eleven children.
Mindanao → Lebanon
At twenty, she left for Lebanon to work and support her family, as so many young Filipinas do, carrying responsibility far beyond her years. She came home to marry, but the marriage brought violence rather than the life she had imagined. She lost a baby. She rebuilt quietly — caring for her mother until her passing in 2011, earning a living buying and selling rice, running a small second-hand clothing stall at the local market.
That stall, modest as it was, revealed something: Jovelyn had an instinct for what people wanted to wear before they knew it themselves.
Hong Kong
It was not enough to stay. She moved to Hong Kong to work as a domestic helper. Her first placement was difficult — the kind of experience that breaks people. She left after a few weeks. Her second family was different. They treated her as one of their own, and she stayed for six years, helping raise two children who remain close to her today.
That same year she met Thierry, a French businessman.
Bangkok
When they moved to Bangkok together in July 2018, the question was what to build. They found a small fashion jewellery brand with a couple of outlets at Chatuchak weekend market. A deal was struck. It fell apart. Another story for another day.
So Jovelyn did what she had always done: she started from scratch and built something of her own.
“She had an instinct for what people wanted to wear before they knew it themselves.”
Born in October 2018
ako & sila was born in October 2018 — a woman-owned brand designed entirely by Jovelyn and handcrafted in our atelier in On Nut, Bangkok.
Jovelyn travels across Southeast Asia to source pieces she believes are either already trending or about to be, always with one question in mind: will this enhance the person wearing it?
She works closely with a factory in the Philippines on her wooden and seashell ranges, supporting their commitment to sustainability. All dyes used are food-grade and safe. Every piece is chosen with care, not bought in bulk and hoped for the best.
She is, as her friends and family will confirm, something of a natural trendsetter, always slightly ahead of the room. ako & sila is an extension of that instinct, made available to you.
Jewellery is not decoration.
It is punctuation.
It marks chapters, decisions, and the people who matter. The right piece becomes part of the story you carry with you.
Between fast fashion and luxury
We sit deliberately in the space between fast fashion and unattainable luxury — not because it is a convenient position, but because we believe beautiful things should be accessible.
Considered design for every day
Considered design should not require a special occasion to justify it. Every piece we carry is chosen because it earns its place in your daily life.
Sourced with intention
We travel. We choose carefully. We work with makers whose values match our own. Nothing is bought in bulk and hoped for the best.
Looking Ahead
What’s Coming
- New Bangkok locations before extending across Thai provinces
- Products will shortly be available in a department store in Singapore
- OEM production available in Thailand and the Philippines
- Products stocked in shops around the world
đź“š
Jovelyn’s Longer Dream
To give something back to the village that shaped her — by opening and stocking a children’s library in Villamore, Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao.
What We Make
Our Materials
From natural stone to rattan — every material we work with is chosen for its character, quality, and the way it wears.
Natural Stone
Formed deep within the earth, natural stones carry unique patterns and subtle variations. Their organic beauty and individuality create pieces that feel timeless and deeply connected to nature.
Pearl
Naturally luminous and effortlessly elegant, pearls have been treasured for generations. Their soft glow brings a sense of refinement and classic beauty that never fades.
Fabric
Soft, fluid, and versatile, fabric brings movement and color to design. Its gentle texture adds a timeless elegance that feels both comfortable and expressive.
Stainless Steel
Known for its strength and durability, stainless steel resists tarnish and maintains its shine. It offers a clean, modern look designed to last through everyday wear.
Clay
Hand-shaped and carefully finished, clay allows for artistic expression and individuality. Lightweight and versatile, it brings a creative yet enduring beauty to each piece.
Beaded
Carefully arranged beads add depth, texture, and detail. Whether subtle or expressive, they bring a playful yet timeless charm to each design.
Wood
Warm, lightweight, and organic, wood offers a natural beauty that feels grounded and authentic. Its unique grain ensures every piece is one of a kind.
Acrylic
Lightweight and smooth, acrylic introduces vibrant color and contemporary style. It brings a fresh, modern edge while remaining easy to wear and expressive.
Seashell
Shaped by the ocean, seashells carry natural textures and soft iridescence. Each piece reflects the quiet, timeless beauty of the sea.
Rattan
Naturally woven and airy, rattan adds an artisanal touch. Its lightness and texture create a relaxed elegance that feels both effortless and enduring.
Paper
Delicately crafted and treated for durability, paper transforms into unique, artistic forms. It offers a soft, unexpected beauty that is both creative and refined.
Salamat sa Patuloy na Pagbili sa amin…
Thank you for continuing to shop with us.
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