In a world which is increasingly turning its attention to all things hand-crafted, and companies using ethically sourced materials that support local craftsmanship, Candice Johnson is one entrepreneur turning her passion for luxury, handcrafted knitwear, into a thriving business, aptly named Miss Knitwear.
Read moreWomen Pioneering the Development of Africa’s Contemporary Artisanal Crafts
Artisanal craft has often been seen as the lowly cousin to more high profile creative disciplines such as design, sculpture and art, with the artisans themselves tending to be consigned to the background. This perception is now changing as the artisan sector undergoes a global resurgence. The high profile support of initiatives such as the recently launched #ChooseArtisan campaign are helping to keep the momentum going.
Read moreJoy Ndungutse co-founder of Gahaya Links in Rwanda is recognised with Artisan Hero Award 2015 by the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise and The Aspen Institute
Joy Ndungutse the co-founder of Gahaya Links in Rwanda has been recognised with the prestigious Artisan Hero Award 2015 by the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise, Aspen Global Health and Development, and The Aspen Institute. She was recognised for her wonderful work in creating an artisan-based, social enterprise that had a vision to turn ancient basket weaving skills into a source of livelihood for thousands of rural women. Congratulations to Joy, her sister and co-founder, Janet, and all the wonderful artisans who make up this inspirational co-operative, artisan project.
Read moreJohanette van Niekerk - The startup story of a South African jewellery and accessories designer whose creative passion turned into a business and a new, positive life direction
South Africa has a long tradition of beautiful jewellery and accessories craftmanship and beading, and one creative entrepreneur is taking it to a whole new level with her company, Sew Good Handmade. Johanette van Niekerk is a woman with a wonderful creative soul who sees beautiful design possibilities in everything around her and particularly in the materials she uses. Her handcrafted products are literally kaleidoscopes of colour, designed to lift the spirits of anyone wearing or displaying them.
Read moreBushera Bashir - The startup story of an entrepreneur building a luxury ethical cashmere fashion label in South Africa
Every woman entrepreneur in Africa has a unique story to tell and usually an inspirational story of how their own personal entrepreneurial journey started. The back-story for Bushera Bashir, the founder of ethical fashion label Trebene, takes us on a unique journey from the birthplace of Cashmere wool, Kashmir, from where Trebene’s beautiful luxury cashmere scarves are handwoven, through to Cape Town in South Africa where they are designed, printed and retailed.
Read moreDaniela Wingate - The startup story of an entrepreneur with a passion for handmade gifts that become tomorrow’s heirlooms
Walking into Daniela Wingate’s flagship Heirloom Treasury store is a wonderful experience, and a real celebration of lovingly hand-made, carefully selected and beautifully displayed stationery and gift items that reflect the art of fine craftsmanship in Africa.
Read moreRachel Phiri - The startup story of a Zimbabwean jewellery designer with an independent creative spirit
Zimbabwean jewellery designer, Rachel Phiri, founded her company Silverbox Jewellery based on a passion for beautiful accessories and an inbuilt creativity that was looking for an outlet. The result is a jewellery business being built across two countries in Africa, and involving the family and their talents in its growth and development.
Read moreLaura Nyahuye - The startup story of an avant garde Zimbabwean designer challenging existing notions of jewellery design
There is a real sense of drama about the design work of Laura Nyahuye and her brand, AdornU, who is challenging convention and creating sculptural adornments for the body that speak volumes for the individuality and confidence of the wearer.
Read moreSera Holland - The startup story of a talented textile designer elevating handmade fabrics to an artform
For women entrepreneurs, their personal journeys to setting up their businesses and realising their dreams are always unique - some are very focused on long-held identified goals, whilst others are almost accidental or organic in nature. South African-based textile designer, Sera Holland, falls into the latter category of an entrepreneur who never set out to be in business, but ended up discovering a love of textile printing and built the most amazing business around it.
Read moreAshley Heather - The startup story of an innovative jewellery designer reclaiming precious metals from computer circuit boards as source materials
When LoA heard about South African jewellery designer, Ashley Heather, and how she is creating beautiful, handcrafted and contemporary jewellery pieces from, of all things, precious metals reclaimed from computer circuit boards, we just had to find out more.
Read moreAmorie Daubern - The startup story of a former interior architect now creating handmade homeware and stationery items that celebrate her country
There is no doubt that Amorie Daubern has a wonderful eye for detail and a huge creative streak that has now found its true meaning in her new entrepreneurial venture, Volhart. She creates beautiful and unique, handmade and environmentally friendly homeware and stationery items that are inspired by the breath-taking beauty and indigenous character of the country she so loves - South Africa.
Read moreAmy Sinovich - The startup story of a South African jewellery designer telling inspirational stories through her wearable art
There is something truly wonderful about translating the power of storytelling into beautiful pieces of bespoke, wearable art that connect on a deeply personal level with the person commissioning it. Amy Sinovich is an incredibly talented South African jewellery designer that is one such storyteller par excellence. Every unique handcrafted piece she creates from precious metals and semi-precious stones tells its own story, inspired by nature, poetry and the life of the person for whom it is made.
Read moreSheila Mokgoadi - The startup story of a woman building a handcrafted Afroluxe jewellery brand with a modern twist
Inspired by the unique, joyous nature of traditional African jewellery design, Sheila Mokgoadi’s luxury brand, Azura Luxury Handcrafts, has created a range of bold, chic and highly desirable pieces that appeals to the most sophisticated global buyers. Her dedication to ensuring the highest levels of craftsmanship, combined with a fiercely modern design aesthetic, are what make this African luxury jewellery brand so unique.
Read moreLisa Ackroyd - The startup story of a South African hand-crafted leather accessory brand builder
There is something wonderfully evocative about wandering through Lisa Ackroyd’s incredible Johannesburg-based Colony store and studio, and seeing at first-hand the most beautiful and meticulously hand-crafted leather accessories being made. The sights, sounds and smells of leather being hand-worked by Lisa and her dedicated team of craftspeople, all of whom have been trained by her, are truly memorable.
Read moreVanhu Vamwe - The startup story of a unique accessory designer whose African heritage is woven into the very fabric of her handbags
Fashion journalist turned highly successful global accessory designer, Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri, understands the power of story-telling in African culture. She is drawing on that inspiration to create highly sculptural, extraordinarily beautiful handbags that are deeply rooted in her African heritage, yet have a fresh, contemporary look. These are unique accessories to treasure.
Read moreKatherine-Mary Pichulik - The startup story of a South African accessories designer who transforms everyday materials into something precious
For Katherine-Mary Pichulik, a hugely talented and creative South African entrepreneur and jewellery accessory designer, the inspiration for her work comes from the alchemy of transforming everyday materials through craft, touch and design, and elevating them into something precious and covetable.
Read moreAkosua Afriyie-Kumi - The startup story of a Ghanaian handbag designer turning traditional hand-weaving techniques into luxury must-have accessories
A A K S was founded by talented designer, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, with the goal of introducing the world to the weaving techniques done by the women of Ghana, while also creating and igniting sustainable jobs within Africa. Handcrafted in Bolgatanga, A A K S creates bags in styles that maintain the spirit and durability of their ancestral counterparts characterised by bright exuberant colours.
Read moreLucy MacGarry - The startup story of a South African art curator turned entrepreneur who is creating wearable art
Lucy MacGarry the founder of L’Mad Collection creates genuinely wearable art by designing accessories and pieces of clothing made from 100% luxurious silk and printed with unique artworks by highly talented artists. The resulting products are truly unique and breathtakingly beautiful, and good enough to hang on a wall, not just on the body.
Read moreKarin Rae Matthee - The startup story of the creative designer behind Dear Rae Jewellery
In the world of jewellery design in South Africa, Karen Rae Matthee is a young entrepreneur with a vision, a unique design and creative aesthetic, and a deep commitment to skills development and upliftment in her community.
Read moreMonica Umwari and Maria Mayanja – The start up story of a unique Rwandan eco-brand that is creating trendy accessories from upcycled waste
Two young Rwandan eco-preneurs are showing the world that great design combined with a passion for finding environmentally friendly ways of dealing with the country’s non-biodegradable waste, can create something beautiful. Monica Umwari and Maria Mayanja have founded a young and funky eco-brand, Angaza, producing fashionable and highly desirable accessories made from upcycled waste products.
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