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Amirah Adam, an entrepreneur building a textile print design business where art meets fashion in Mozambique

April 7, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Amirah Adam, founder, Mira La Mira (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Amirah Adam is the founder of the company Mira La Mira, a textile print design brand launched in 2018 in Mozambique. She is the winner of several financing awards and the Mozal & Kulungwana award. Since the age of 16, she has worked in the digital arts field, and has extensive experience in communication design, photography, and advertising. She has also worked in alternative areas such as business management. She completed her degree in Mozambique and her master's degree in Portugal, where the Mira La Mira brand was born. The business has created jobs for 4 people.

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In Startup Story Tags Mozambique, Design, Textiles, Green Business
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Moleboheng (Lebo) Nhamahango, a Mozambican surface pattern designer bringing creative life to everyday items

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Moleboheng (Lebo) Nhamahango, founder and CEO, Nerah Decór (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Moleboheng (Lebo) Nhamahango is the founder and CEO of Nerah Decór in Mozambique, an online surface pattern design company. Lebo designs the patterns in Mozambique and then uploads them to the Red Bubble portal which allows her to coordinate her design prints on different surfaces according to a client's order. Through the Red Bubble portal, it allows Lebo to print and ship her product designs from USA to any country in the world. Lebo makes it easy for clients to access her designs, and by simply putting the Nerah Decór website in a client's URL, that client links to the online store where they can order according to their desire and collect their order on their doorstep!

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In Startup Story Tags Design, Mozambique
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Lioness Launch / South African surface and textile design studio, ZURI and IMANI, launches two new clothing collections

June 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Joy Ezeka, founder, ZURI and IMANI (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

ZURI and IMANI is a South African surface and textile design studio founded by talented entrepreneur, Joy Ezeka, on a mission to 'change the narrative of the ‘African print’'. It weaves modern stories inspired by the richness of Africa, to create its  own authentic Africanity fabric prints made up of bold pattern designs and colour palettes. This exciting, growing brand has just launched its new 'le MANTEAU-trois' and 'la VESTE-un' collection of trans-seasonal coats and jackets, all made from ZURI and IMANI’s eye-catching, custom fabric prints.

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In Lioness Launch Tags South Africa, Fashion, Design
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Designing For Others and Me

January 23, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Justina Luelo

When I came across Human Centered Design it was love at first sight. The thought that I can innovate with Humans and for Humans was a new concept for me and I wanted to explore it. The idea of exploring HCD for new innovations and improve services and products was great but, the idea of working with people who are looking to innovate getting into the entrepreneur life style was even greater, well, why not?

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In Guest Blog Tags Justina Luelo, Design
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Taíla Carrilho, a creative Mozambican entrepreneur with a passion for design

November 14, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Taíla Carrilho, co-founder, Ruum Gallery & founder, Atelier Taila Carrilho (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Many entrepreneurs are born to create, and in Mozambique, Taíla Carrilho, co-founder of Ruum Gallery and founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho, is one such person. Her design talent has led her to co-found a creative gallery to showcase handcrafted design objects, and also her own fashion atelier.

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In Startup Story Tags Mozambique, Fashion, Design
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Mimi Shodeinde, a British Nigerian artist and designer pushing creative boundaries

December 13, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Mimi Shodeinde

Mimi Shodeinde

Miminat Designs, a groundbreaking interior architecture and design business reimagining form and function

Mimi Shodeinde is a British Nigerian artist, designer and entrepreneur, born and raised in London, Mimi’s passion for art was developed at a young age. Winning awards for her artwork she went on to complete her degree in Interior Architecture at Edinburgh. She has worked and collaborated on a wide range of projects both nationally and internationally, from interior architectural projects, furniture design, lighting and product design spanning The UK, Europe, The Middle East and West Africa. Mimi’s drafting and painting skills together with her artist’s eye allow her to break down the relationship between form and function where art and design intersect. She draws on her diverse influences and background to manipulate the use of space through both form and placement defying categorization. Her style is fluid, sophisticated and functional but seeks to imbue each project with a personality of its own.

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In Cover Story Tags Design, United Kingdom, Nigeria
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Natércia Mondlane, a talented architectural design consultant delivering professional solutions to projects in Mozambique

October 17, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Natércia Mondlane, founder & CEO of Natercia Mondlane Arquitectura & Imobiliária (Mozambique)

Natércia Mondlane, founder & CEO of Natercia Mondlane Arquitectura & Imobiliária (Mozambique)

Startup Story

Finding a specialist, experienced and professional consultant who can navigate their way around any complex architectural real estate project can be tough. But in Mozambique, Natércia Mondlane, founder of Natércia Mondlane Arquitectura & Imobiliária, is creating highly innovative design solutions to meet all her clients’ urban design needs.

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In Startup Story Tags Mozambique, Design, Architectural Design
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Thabisa Mjo, a creative entrepreneur telling stories through design

July 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken
Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio (South Africa)

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

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

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.

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In Cover Story Tags South Africa, Design
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Djamila Machava De Sousa, co-founder of Karingana Wa Karingana in Mozambique is introducing the country’s famous Capulana to the world

June 27, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Djamila Machava De Sousa, co-founder of Karingana Wa Karingana (Mozambique)

Djamila Machava De Sousa, co-founder of Karingana Wa Karingana (Mozambique)

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.

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In Startup Story Tags Mozambique, Fashion, Design
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Marta Vânia Uetela, a Mozambican entrepreneur creating an innovative solution to the country’s housing challenges

March 30, 2019 Melanie Hawken
Marta Vânia Uetela, founder of Minimal (Mozambique)

Marta Vânia Uetela, founder of Minimal (Mozambique)

For many young people and startup businesses in Mozambique, getting a foot onto the housing and property ladder can be tough. But that is about to change thanks to Marta Vânia Uetela, a woman entrepreneur with a big vision and a great solution who is exciting everyone with her flexible and sustainable housing solution for the country.

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In Startup Story Tags Mozambique, Design, Construction
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Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, an entrepreneur from Cote d’Ivoire with a passion for bringing traditional African textiles into home decor

November 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, founder of Kiyana Design (Cote d’Ivoire)

Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, founder of Kiyana Design (Cote d’Ivoire)

Africa has a long tradition of producing the most beautiful textiles, and for entrepreneur Tatiana Massangu Ilunga, founder of Kiyana Design in Cote d’Ivoire, that design tradition was the inspiration for her business. Today, she is producing a range of home decor items that celebrate the best of African textile design.

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In Startup Story Tags Cote d'Ivoire, Design, Textiles
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LIONESS COLAB: Dounia Home X AphroChic

October 28, 2018 Melanie Hawken
chandelier_2 copy.jpg

Dounia Home & AphroChic wanted to bring something special to the world, a lighting collection that is a true marriage between form, function and craftsmanship. The Amur collection, inspired, designed and handcrafted in the ancient city of Amur Akush, today known as Marrakech.

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In Lioness CoLAB Tags Design, Artisans, Morocco
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Quote of the Day by Mariam Hazem

September 10, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Mariam Hazem, co-founder of Reform Studio (Egypt)

Mariam Hazem, co-founder of Reform Studio (Egypt)

“We believe that design can solve stubborn problems and thus we started with a major issue in Egypt: waste.”

Mariam Hazem, co-founder of Reform Studio (Egypt)

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In Quote of the Day Tags Design
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LIONESS CoLAB: Mash T Design Studio X Karingana wa Karingana Textiles

August 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken
COLAB-Light-Pendant.jpg

A shared love of cutting edge design and contemporary African textiles led to a recent collaboration between multi-award winning South African design entrepreneur, Thabisa  Mjo, founder of Mash T Design Studio, and creative Mozambican textile designer, Wacy Zacarias, founder of Karingana wa Karingana Textiles. 

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In Lioness CoLAB Tags South Africa, Mozambique, Design
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Dounia Tamri-Loeper, a Moroccan entrepreneur creating beautiful contemporary lighting inspired by her country’s traditional design aesthetic

October 29, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Dounia Tamri-Loeper, founder of Dounia Home (Morocco)

Dounia Tamri-Loeper, founder of Dounia Home (Morocco)

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.

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In Startup Story Tags Morocco, Design, Interior Design, Artisans
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Lizl Naude, a South African designer with a passion for turning rubbish into beautiful and unique furniture pieces

November 20, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)

Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)

It takes vision and creative skill to see possibilities where others see rubbish, and entrepreneur Lilly Loompa has both attributes in large quantities. She is designing individual pieces of furniture and interior accessories that have a unique story to tell and celebrate the authenticity of the recycled material used.

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In Startup Story Tags Design, South Africa, Eco-preneur
1 Comment

Mimi Shodeinde, a Nigerian entrepreneur pushing the boundaries of the furniture and design world globally

September 4, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat Designs (UK)

Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat Designs (UK)

Many global consumers have a traditional concept of African design, but creative entrepreneur, Mimi Shodeinde, founder of Miminat Designs, is looking to change all that with her contemporary design outlook. She is demonstrating that African design is not only exciting in a minimal context, particularly when it comes to furniture design, but can also celebrate the best of tradition and technological innovation.

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In Startup Story Tags Design, United Kingdom, African Luxury
Comment

Sinoneliso Xaba, a South African entrepreneur bringing African print textiles and design to the attention of the world

August 25, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Sinoneliso Xaba, founder of Egoli Textile Designs (South Africa)

Sinoneliso Xaba, founder of Egoli Textile Designs (South Africa)

Often, indigenous design can remain a best kept secret to the country it is found in, but thanks to passionate South African entrepreneur, Sinoneliso Xaba and her company Egoli Textile Designs, that is about to change. She is on a mission to bring the continent’s most innovative African print textiles to the global marketplace, and to win a legion of new fans along the way.

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In Startup Story Tags Design, Artisans
Comment

Thabisa Mjo - The startup story of a talented creative entrepreneur with an eye on building an exciting new lifestyle brand in Africa

April 19, 2016 Melanie Hawken
Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash.T Design Studio (South Africa)

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

Interior design company, Mash.T Design Studio, is on a mission - to create beautiful spaces. Inspired by its creative founder, Thabisa Mjo, the company prides itself by continuously providing its clients with highly creative solutions to their spatial challenges. The company is constantly working to solidify its status as a design company synonymous with cutting edge, inspired design.

Read more
In Startup Story Tags Design, Interior Design
Comment

Olivia Byanyima and Shanley Knox - The startup story of two women creating a unique manufacturing business celebrating Uganda’s unique Ankole cow horn

December 12, 2015 Melanie Hawken
Olivia Byanyima and Shanley Knox, founders of Olivia Knox (Uganda)

Olivia Byanyima and Shanley Knox, founders of Olivia Knox (Uganda)

The world’s discerning consumers have become so much more conscious about the provenance and sustainability of the products they buy, particularly in the luxury market. By creating new luxury markets for products crafted from East Africa’s unique Ankole horn, Olivia Byanyima and Shanley Knox through their company, Olivia Knox, are improving the economic value of this culturally significant breed, providing incentive for Ugandan ranchers to continue their ancient practice of raising the Ankole.

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In Startup Story Tags Design, Artisans, African Luxury
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LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Tshego Molefi, a pioneer transforming the waste management industry
Tshego Molefi, a pioneer transforming the waste management industry

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates
Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

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Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Komeshni Patrick, a tech legal consultancy founder empowering forward-thinking tech businesses to grow
Komeshni Patrick, a tech legal consultancy founder empowering forward-thinking tech businesses to grow
Lebo Biko, a South African champion of women-led innovation in Africa’s agri-food value chain
Lebo Biko, a South African champion of women-led innovation in Africa’s agri-food value chain

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Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
No More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back by Catherine Cowart Roe
No More 24/7: Entrepreneurs, Take Your Life Back by Catherine Cowart Roe

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