Natharlea turns Sri Lankan sapphires into wearable art

A rare Padparadscha and multi-coloured Ceylon sapphires anchor a collection rooted in nature, craftsmanship and local heritage.

Sri Lankan fashion designer Natharlea Yahampath has brought the island’s gemstone heritage to the runway with a striking, detachable sapphire collar unveiled at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2026. Featuring a Padparadscha sapphire surrounded by multi-coloured Ceylon sapphires, the creation combines fine gemstones with an artistic interpretation of nature.

Inspired by a droplet of water resting on a butterfly’s wing, the collar captures the moment sunlight refracts through water to reveal a spectrum of colours. Natharlea translates this fleeting natural phenomenon into gemstones, using sapphires in varied hues to recreate the interplay of light and colour. The result is a statement piece that bridges fashion and jewellery while celebrating Sri Lanka’s rich gem heritage.

“I have always found my inspiration in nature’s smallest details. A drop of water on a butterfly’s wing lasts only a moment, but when the sun touches it, it holds every colour of the rainbow. Sri Lanka’s sapphires carry that same light. With this collar, I wanted to capture that moment and share the beauty of our gems with the world. More than fashion, this is wearable art,” said designer Natharlea Yahampath.

At the heart of the design is a trillion-cut Padparadscha sapphire, prized for its distinctive blend of pink and orange hues. Named after the Sinhala word associated with the lotus blossom, the gemstone is among the rarest varieties of sapphire. Sri Lanka is renowned as a historic source of Padparadscha stones, making the gem a fitting centrepiece for a creation that celebrates the island’s natural resources.

While blue sapphires are the country’s best-known gemstones, Sri Lanka also produces stones in pink, yellow, purple, orange and green. By incorporating multi-coloured Ceylon sapphires, Natharlea highlights this diversity and presents the island’s gem heritage through a contemporary design perspective.

The collar forms part of a wider collection featuring handloom textiles, hand-knitted garments and hand-crocheted details. Incorporating blue, pink and yellow sapphires alongside Padparadscha stones, the collection celebrates Sri Lankan artisans and traditional skills. Natharlea works with a team of women who hand-knit pieces for her label, placing handmade craftsmanship at the heart of her design practice.

Sustainability and ethical fashion also inform her approach, with an emphasis on handmade techniques and collaboration with local craftspeople. A graduate of the Academy Of Design (AOD), where she studied Fashion Design and Textiles, Natharlea has showcased her work at local and international fashion events. In 2022, she represented Sri Lanka at Kraków Fashion Week in Poland. Her work has also been featured at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka and Colombo Fashion Week, and exhibited in London.

Through her latest creation, Natharlea brings together Sri Lanka’s gemstones, artisanal skills and contemporary fashion, offering an international audience a fresh perspective on the island’s creative heritage.

About Natharlea

Natharlea is the fashion label of Sri Lankan designer Natharlea Yahampath, known for handmade knitwear and nature-inspired designs. A graduate of the Academy Of Design, she has showcased her work at Kraków Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Sri Lanka and Colombo Fashion Week, and exhibited in London. Her label champions Sri Lankan artisans and handmade craftsmanship. Natharlea is also co-creative director of LOVI Ceylon.