For whom do you design your jewellery?
I always start with myself. What am I missing? What would I want or need? How should the jewellery feel, and what should it evoke in me when I wear it? I don’t have a specific person in mind. I believe that everyone, regardless of gender, possesses a unique beauty that can be accentuated with jewellery.

How did you start creating jewellery?
I've always had a passion for design. One reason I began creating jewellery was that I couldn’t find anything I truly wanted to wear at the time—it simply wasn’t available. So, I decided to design it myself.

How do you want women and men to feel when wearing an A.M. piece?
They should feel entirely themselves. The jewellery should become a part of them, connecting and bonding with them. It should make visible what they already are.

Which shapes are typical of Alke Missalla?
Circles and squares in all their variations. These two basic geometric forms offer infinite possibilities. By developing them further—subtracting, layering, transforming them into three-dimensional structures, or reducing them to mere surfaces—I refine each design. I continuously assess: What is needed to bring the piece to its essence? How much or how little is required for it to simply "be"?

Where or how do your ideas and inspirations come to you?
Inspiration arises when my mind is at ease—while listening to music or being in nature. It requires space, time, and the ability to let go for new ideas to emerge.

Do you have a specific approach to the design process?
Some designs flow naturally, leading to multiple variations at once. Others need to be set aside and revisited with fresh eyes. My collections and pieces evolve at their own pace—I consider them complete only when they truly are.

Can you tell me something about the production process? Where do you source materials or products from?
I design and craft all my jewellery in my studio at Venusberg. I receive local support for gold plating, engraving, and gemstone setting. My foundry is a small business in Pforzheim. All my suppliers are small, mostly family-run German businesses with long-standing traditions. I’ve worked with them for over 20 years. I primarily use recycled gold and silver and source diamonds only from legal suppliers, many of whom use recycled raw materials.

Apart from a great idea, what else matters in a designer's work?
For me, the creative process is the most fulfilling part. Crafting a high-quality piece by hand—ensuring that materials, size, and texture are in perfect harmony—gives me deep satisfaction. My professional training as a goldsmith forms the foundation for the durability, quality, and precision of my work.

Your jewellery is very simple and pure. Which designers or architects inspire you?
I admire Mies van der Rohe’s minimalist architecture. In fashion, I’ve always been drawn to Jil Sander for her timeless elegance and ability to distill things to their essence. I also appreciate the floral photography of Karl Blossfeldt—his precise way of capturing nature’s decorative charm, with an emphasis on structure and composition, is a continuous source of inspiration.

If you had to name one— which A.M. piece are you particularly proud of?
Always the one I see adorning an ear, neck, or hand. Each time, it is a wonderful confirmation of my work.