Garden of Desire Jewellery

Our Story

The roots of Garden of Desire go back almost five decades to the tumultuous era of the Khmer Rouge, to when a young Cambodian boy was separated from his family and forced to flee to Thailand and, subsequently, France. Years later, in his 20s and living in Paris, Ly Pisith found solace in art and, ultimately, his vocation in design. For years, he built his career as a product designer for Alain Mikli, Starck and other haute couture international brands in Paris. His career trajectory then took him to Singapore where his innovative designs won clients and awards alike.

Based in Pisith’s home country, Garden of Desire (now in its 12th year) showcases contemporary jewellery designed by Pisith and handmade in silver by him and his team of respected craftsmen. As its Singapore-and-Cambodia-based director, Agnes handles business and marketing, as well as collaborations with guest designers to create seasonal collections.
But what truly sets Garden of Desire jewellery apart are the stories the pieces tell. The creative force behind its collections, Pisith creates jewellery that is innately linked to his Cambodian roots. Embedded with meaning, his works refer to the past, present and future, expressing his positive aspirations for his country as well as paying homage to his culture.

In their commitment to giving back to Cambodian society, Pisith and Agnes are passionate about providing enduring employment with fair work practices and enhancing the trade. They are also devoted to reviving a beloved artistic tradition and placing Khmer heritage at the forefront of global, contemporary design.