Growing A Bling Empire

As luxury jewellery brand B.P. de Silva Jewellers celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, creative director Shanya Amarasuriya discusses how her designs bridge tradition and modernity.

- Karen Tee

Like many multi-generational businesses, B.P. de Silva Jewellers has its fair share of defining tales that have been handed down over the years. The one that resonates most with current fifth-generation creative director Shanya Amarasuriya dates back to World War II, and was told to her by her father Sunil.

When the Japanese invaded Singapore, the company was run by a distant second-generation relative named Titus. As the business was threatened with collapse, he daringly hid the jewellery beneath a tree and protected it from the invaders throughout the war.

Just imagine the kind of environment he was in, and that he had the integrity to return it SO the business could survive and go on to take care of more people, she muses.

It is not surprising that she holds this story close to her heart. As the brand celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, the stewardship and responsibility of the family's legacy she has assumed is not something she takes lightly.