Men’s belts, silver, carnelian, leather; filigree, granulation, blackening, embossing. Source: the designer’s Instagram page — @jeweller_berik_alibai
Berik Alibay
This series of men’s belts combines leather straps with decorative metal buckles, crafted in a traditional style with elements of the designer’s own interpretation. It is the buckle that becomes the compositional and conceptual centrepiece of each piece, defining its visual character.The artistic concept is based on the juxtaposition of a flexible leather base and the geometric forms of the metal elements. The surface of the belts is covered with embossed floral and geometric patterns, arranged in the form of a rhythmically repeating frieze. The buckles feature rich decorative finishes: scani, graining and blackening techniques create a complex graphic structure and emphasise the depth of the ornamentation. Central carnelian inlays form striking accents and reinforce the sculptural unity of the composition.In traditional culture, the belt is associated with notions of status, maturity and masculine identity. The central buckle is perceived as a sign of strength and stability, concentrating the main symbolic meaning. In this context, carnelian retains its significance as a protective stone, whilst the ornamental motifs reflect ideas of order, stability and continuity.While preserving the traditional typology of the men’s belt, the craftsman enhances the decorative and material expressiveness of the pieces, transforming them from utilitarian objects into works of art. As a result, the belts are perceived as a continuation of the national jewellery tradition within a contemporary cultural context.