Otago Polytechnic fashion student Alesha Pyers is on a head-turning mission — to raise awareness of mental health issues through her funky jewellery designs.

A year ago, Alesha was fighting for her life in Dunedin Hospital following an ongoing battle with mental illness.

After her recovery at home in Nelson, she decided to follow a long-held love of fashion and enrolled in Otago Polytechnic’s School of Design this year.

Now, she’s managing a fast-growing accessory business, Alesha Kerry Collections. Launched in June, the business focuses on earrings shaped like the electrical pulse of a heartbeat.

Alesha, who makes the earrings using a laser-cutter in the Experiment Production Innovation Construction centre (EPICentre) at Otago Polytechnic, wants her designs to spark conversations about mental health.

She has also teamed up with Nelson jewellers Benjamin Black Goldsmiths to create a gold and diamond version of the earrings, which will be auctioned online between August 18 and September 2.

All proceeds will go to Voices of Hope, and the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust.

Read more about Alesha

Visit her website


Published on 10 Aug 2018

Orderdate: 10 Aug 2018
Expiry: 31 Dec 2018