essenceofafrika

Zulu Mien

The narrative

Zulu Mien is a grassroots social enterprise dedicated to supporting female artisans in South Africa. This people-before-profits brand is the culmination of its founder Nicola Robertson’s years of experience on the ground, working and living with women in remote communities.

The jewellery emerging from this collaboration is as appealing for it’s beauty as it is for its philosophy: “that we should live a life of grace and integrity, and never lose the awareness that we are all connected to each other.”

Zulu Mien won the Innibos National Craft Award for Best Corporate Gifts in 2020; was selected as part of the Design Indaba Emerging Creatives Class of 2021; and in the same year, won an international mentorship and representation at Paris Fashion Week with UKbased CoNNect Agency.

Krood

The narrative ‘Perfectly imperfect’ is Karoo-inspired Krood’s motto. Founded by creator, Gene Arundel, each one-of-a-kind piece is meticulously handcrafted, drawing inspiration from the raw beauty and harsh elements of the semi-arid desert in South Africa.

Crafted with passion, each piece tells a story of authenticity and unrefined beauty. “At Krood, we celebrate imperfections as the essence of perfection, believing that our individual uniqueness is what makes us intriguing

“My daily walks in the veld provide a rich source of inspiration through their tranquil and immersive experience. As i move through the landscape, i encounter a tapestry of sights, sounds, and sensations that stimulate my creativity.” The brand’s gender neutral, non seasonal one of a kind pieces are truly of Africa.

Temba

The narrative

The Temba Collection was created in Zimbabwe by Polly Randell and Touran Bristow.

Having met on a game drive on the banks of the Limpopo River, their shared love of jewellery and design led to the Temba debut collection in sterling silver, and a wonderful friendship. In the Ndebele and Venda languages, Temba means to ‘love’ or to ‘trust’.

Each Temba design is crafted in our studio in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. “We combine making pieces by hand with the lost wax casting method, allowing us to create a varied and stylish collection Woven into each creation is the incredible skills of our silversmiths and the beautiful stories which captured our imagination . We seek to create pieces which inspire women to express their individuality and style, as well as follow their sense of adventure.”