Djamila Machava De Sousa and Wacy Zacarias, changing the narrative of African textiles through design

August 2, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Djamila Machava De Sousa and Wacy Zacarias, co-founders of Karingana Wa Karingana in Mozambique, introduce Capulana to the world.

Mozambique is famous for its Capulana, but one company is taking this unique textile to whole new design levels. Karingana Wa Karingana, co-founded by Djamila Machava De Sousa and Wacy Zacarias, are building a powerhouse brand that combines traditional design and cultural values presented in a modern context.

Samantha Skyring, a global brand builder inspired by the Kalahari

July 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Samantha Skyring, founder of Oryx Desert Salt (South Africa)

Oryx Desert Salt, bringing a taste of the Kalahari to the world’s kitchens

With the world looking to source more sustainable, ethically produced and renewable sources of foodstuffs, one South African business venture, Oryx Desert Salt, founded by entrepreneur Samantha Skyring, is looking to bring an exceptional source of salt to enrich both the flavour of food and also promote good health.

Thabisa Mjo, a creative entrepreneur telling stories through design

July 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio (South Africa)

Mash. T Design Studio, creating a contemporary craft-driven aesthetic for Africa

Thabisa Mjo is the founder and owner of Mash. T Design Studio in South Africa, a furniture and design studio with the main focus and philosophy to tell uniquely South African stories using the medium of design.

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, a creative force in contemporary floral design

July 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria, founder of The House Of Agness (Mozambique)

Mozambique’s The House of Agness, a pioneer in floral design luxury and modernism

Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is the founder of The House Of Agness in Mozambique, a unique contemporary floral design company inspired by minimalism and sustainability. She is passionate about all things minimal and meaningful, and her business reflects that passion. The House of Agness focuses on contemporary floral design thats seeks to become evermore sustainable in the techniques used in its designs, such as foam free arrangements. Another notable characteristic of The House Of Agness brand is that it seeks to empower women through its supply chain, being that 90% of their suppliers are made up of women-owned businesses. With 5 years in the marketplace, this brand has surely become a reference point for Luxury and Modernism, both in Mozambique and beyond its borders.

Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, pioneers of artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturing

July 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, founders of ’57 Chocolate (Ghana)

Meet the founders of ’57 Chocolate, Ghana’s luxury chocolate brand

Africa needs women entrepreneurs who really understand the power of the entrepreneurial value chain in their countries, and in Ghana a great example can be found in Kimberley and Priscilla Addison, founders of ’57 Chocolate. The company’s philosophy is based on a bean-to-bar approach to manufacture and distribution, adding value to everyone along the value chain, from cocoa bean grower to consumer. ‘57 Chocolate is a world-class brand that believes in not merely trading the country’s natural resources in their “natural” state, but instead using creativity to transform these resources by developing made in Ghana products of premium value. Lionesses of Africa spoke to these pioneering sisters this month to find out more.

Margaret Hirsch, an impact-driven retail pioneer in Southern Africa

June 28, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Hirsch’s is a truly South African family business and was founded 41 years ago by Margaret Hirsch and her husband Allan. Today, it is the largest independently owned Appliance and Electronics retail outlet in South Africa - Margaret now has the role of Executive Director of the company, Allan is the Chairman, son Richard is CEO and daughter Luci is Brand Manager. Lionesses of Africa chatted to Margaret this month to hear her shared insights during this Covid-19 pandemic, and its impact on her personally and on the business. She opens up very honestly about her personal experiences, and also her people centric approach to business.

Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, a creative designer with a passion for silk

June 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Hazel Aggrey-Orleans, founder and creative director of EKI

Hazel Aggrey-Orleans is the founder and creative director of EKI, a luxury women’s fashion brand based in London designing ready to wear and bespoke pieces. Lionesses of Africa chatted to Hazel this month to learn more about this unique luxury brand that is winning fans from around the world with its celebration of silk and African heritage.

Tara Fela-Durotoye, a professional make-up pioneer in Nigeria

June 7, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Beauty Entrepreneur who pioneered the professional make up industry in Nigeria in the late 90's. She is the founder and current CEO of House of Tara International. She is considered a major force in the Nigerian female entrepreneurship community having created an impact business that has empowered tens of thousands of beauty entrepreneurs through the "Tara Beauty Entrepreneur" initiative. Tara continues to be a thought leader and major influencer through several in classroom and on line courses that focus on sharing her 20+ year experience with other budding entrepreneurs.

Femi Olayebi, a champion of African luxury and craftsmanship

May 31, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Femi Olayebi, founder of FemiHandbags (Nigeria)

Femi Olayebi is a self-taught handbag and accessories designer, trainer, mentor and the creative force behind the eponymous FemiHandbags brand. A translator turned designer and manufacturer, her entrepreneurial journey started in 1992 when she tried her hands at making a diaper bag for her first daughter. Since then, she has poured all her energies into building her business, consistently pushing the boundaries and emerging as a leader in the Nigerian leather space. Renowned for her statement, colour-drenched pieces, Femi has received several awards, and in 2013, her business became a case study for MBA students at the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos.

Adele Dejak, a bold designer inspired by African heritage

May 24, 2020 Melanie Hawken

In the highly competitive world of international jewellery design, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. But this is certainly not the case for jewellery and accessory design entrepreneur, Adele Dejak, founder of the striking global luxury brand that carries her name.

Lilly Alfonso, a renowned Malawian fashion brand builder

May 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lilly Alfonso is a renowned and credible fashion brand with over ten years of experience in fashion and design. Its founder and Head Designer, Lilly Alfonso, is a two-time International Fashion Award winning designer for her contributions to the fashion industry. The unique and high-quality garments she designs have been showcased on numerous runways such as: Kigali, Cairo, Paris, London, Milan, Kuala Lumpur, Amsterdam, Sydney and Barcelona. The Lilly Alfonso Brand has two flagship labels; men’s wear collection is under the LAmann Label while, Women’s wear collection is under the LAwomann Label. Lilly Alfonso introduced a sporting collection under LAsport which is still under development.

Sarah Kennan, an award-winning South African distiller

May 10, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Many entrepreneurs are inspired by travel and unique experiences from other parts of the world. For South African entrepreneur Sarah Kennan, her inspiration came from her travels to Mexico and her experience of agave spirit production. She returned home on a mission to turn her new found passion and knowledge of turning locally grown agave into a unique product that the would would love - and so her brand Leonista was born.

Dounia Tamri-Loeper, an entrepreneur lighting up the world

May 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

It’s often said that lighting makes a space or a room come alive, and for design entrepreneur Dounia Tamri-Loeper, founder of Dounia Home, lighting is her inspiration. She is creating beautiful, statement lighting pieces that not only celebrate the centuries-old techniques and designs that are uniquely Moroccan, but is elevating them to a whole new level.

Ntsiki Biyela, a passionate South African winemaker changing the face of the industry

April 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ntsiki Biyela, winemaker and founder of Aslina Wines (South Africa)

Many wine lovers from around the globe already know that South Africa is famous for producing some of the most exciting wines. But how many are familiar with the ground-breaking Aslina Wines, created by the country’s first black woman winemaker, Ntsiki Biyela? If you haven’t already read Ntsiki’s inspirational story, or tasted her award-winning wines for yourself, then you are missing out!

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, a Ghanaian entrepreneur building a luxury, global handbag brand

April 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Discerning buyers in some of the most cosmopolitan fashion capitals of the world are already familiar with the brand, A A K S, and its talented creative founder, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi. She regular exhibits at some of the most prestigious fashion and accessory showcase events around the world, always capturing the attention of the media, as well as enthusiastic followers and buyers.

Eva Sonaike, a luxury interior and lifestyle brand builder with a vibrant West-African aesthetic

April 12, 2020 Melanie Hawken

There is a growing global interest in African design, textiles and products, and talented Nigerian interior designer and lifestyle brand creator, Eva Sonaike, is taking the world by storm on the back of this trend. Her aim is to position the 'African' aesthetic in the global textiles and interior industry as part of her bigger brand-building picture.

Pifa Gove, a Mozambican milliner taking the art of hat-making to new heights

April 5, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Epifania Stella Ernesto Gove, founder of Pifa Gove Millinery (Mozambique)

Epifania Stella Ernesto Gove, or Pifa as she is fondly known, is a Mozambican entrepreneur who is building a global reputation for the beautiful hats she creates for her clients. No stylish woman who wants to make an impression at any special and glamorous occasion would be without one of Pifa’s unique and eye-catching hat creations. Her company, Pifa Gove Millinery, specializes in handmade modern millinery, offering a bespoke service and also a ready to wear collection for her clients. She has also recently launched a personal image consultancy.

Brenda Katwesigye, a Ugandan tech innovator providing access to quality eye care

March 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Wazi Vision’s co-founder and ceo, Brenda Katwesigye, has a big vision for her business - to help everyone access quality eye care, without paying hefty sums for it. She and her team understand that good eyesight is critical to overall health and well being – especially for children and that is why the company has created affordable eyeglasses that are designed in Uganda and cost 80% less than what is currently on the market. Wazi Vision’s virtual reality (VR) testing kit also helps bring eye care testing to communities that do not have optometrists or access to affordable eye care services.

Vicki Bain, a South African artisan chocolate maker creating luxury and jobs

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

In Johannesburg, South Africa, true chocolate lovers who are constantly on the search for the purest of taste sensations and the highest quality ingredients, know there is one destination to choose for their chocolate fix. Chocoloza, the brainchild of entrepreneur and passionate chocolatier, Vicki Bain, combines the best Belgian chocolate with the finest local, fresh African ingredients. The result is a taste sensation unlike anything else you will taste in the chocolate world.

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