African Jewelry Brands and Their Great Designers
Fabrics, patterns, colors—the ingredients that power the beauty of African fashion are undeniable. We’ve ruled the global catwalk with resourceful fabrics, imaginative patterns, and vibrant colors. Now it’s time to strut our stuff with the most beautiful assortments draped upon our stunning outfits. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, accessories—we’re talking about jewelry! And not just the traditional stuff you see at Saks 5th Avenue. Let’s explore African jewelry brands from our fellow African designers. Let’s see what makes them tick, their beautiful designs, and their efforts toward sustainability.
Ariába
Ariába is a contemporary accessory and lifestyle brand, established in 2010 by Creative Director and Owner, Linda Sodeinde. After attending the University of Paris, Linda moved back to Nigeria and started to design. She uses the different cultures, places, and traditions she’s experienced in her travels to create the exquisite jewelry and leather accessories she offers.
PICHULIK
PICHULIK is an ethical jewelry, accessories atelier based in Cape Town, South Africa, led by Founder and Creative Director Katherine-Mary Pichulik. The PICHULIK team is a pan-African group of spirited women who create everything by hand in their flagship studio at the center of Cape Town’s creative East City Precinct. Rooted in Africa and inspired by ancient traditions and cultures worldwide, PICHULIK seeks to impart sacred feminine wisdom through its unique and intentional designs.
PICHULIK employs women, collaborates with women, and outsources to local women-owned small businesses to promote job creation and economic activity in local communities, and champion and augment women’s earning capacity.
Ami Shah
Ami Doshi Shah is a jeweler and applied artist based in Nairobi, Kenya. Trained at the Birmingham School of Jewellery, Ami creates sculpture-esque pieces that align with the human body’s curvatures. A self-proclaimed maker of eclectic adornment, Ami Doshi Shah makes elegant jewelry from many materials including pearls, black tourmaline, malachite, grosgrain, leather, and more.
SOKO
There’s a brand that combines jewelry, business, and representation. SOKO is a women-led, people-first ethical jewelry brand and tech-powered manufacturing platform built to connect artisans in Kenya with the global market. This is done by using mobile technology to connect marginalized Kenyan artisans and their beautiful designs directly to the global marketplace.