Life & Work

Coins, arrows, black bones give edge to Ziko’s jewellery

jewel

Zamani lookbook by Ziko Africa. PHOTO | COURTESY

The arrow-shaped jewellery and others made of coins or bones define the minimalist designs of Ziko Africa.

The jewellery brand started by two sisters living in the United Kingdom has found favour among many Kenyan and European consumers who love the neat, flowing and uncluttered image.

Sisi King, one of the co-founders studied Kiswahili literature and African studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies University in London. Two years ago, with her sister El Mulindi-King, she decided to make jewellery for Africa, from Africa.

At first, most of their jewellery was sold in London, but they made a decision to try the African market and especially Kenya since they also share heritage with the country.

Ancient roots

“What is attractive about minimal designs is that they are very versatile. And you can layer the pieces or stack them up to get that dramatic look. That is what we are looking for when designing, practicality, and also be able to produce high-end quality products,” says Sisi.

Their pieces range from necklaces, earrings, bracelets to rings.

All their pieces have ancient roots blended with a modern touch.

The designs are mostly inspired by the Tuareg community, who are one of the oldest practitioners of African jewellery craftsmanship, with their Tisek rings and the Ingall cross being among their best-selling products.

The Tisek rings were traditionally worn stacked on one finger to form stacked ring sets.

Sisi and her sister redesigned it to be worn with interchangeable rings.

“We’ve reworked these iconic pieces using unadorned brass and perspex in place of traditional etchings and glass peeks,” she said.

Their Africa earring, the most outstanding, is ‘‘a day to night contemporary piece that places the continent in a visibly modern context.”

Their collections include, Neon and Zamani collections. Zamani is translated in Swahili ‘as a long time ago’.

Africa has an incredibly rich history of jewellery craftsmanship. Ziko celebrates this heritage by curating a collection of pieces influenced by antique jewellery.

The sisters also get inspiration from the use of gold disks and wedding jewellery used by Swahilis from the turn of the last century.

The Hiziri necklace is an abstract interpretation of boxes used to carry religious verses.

Their products range from Sh2,000 to Sh10,000 depending on the design.

To grow their presence, Ziko Africa partners with clothes designers like Katungulu Mwendwa whom they say has fresh fashion sense and neat without too many patterns on them— that mostly reflects what Ziko also stands for.

For those who love to accessorise, Sisi says the rule is simple ‘‘always choose one item that you want to stand out then, add other small items that will compliment it, and not out stage it.”

Next year, Ziko plans to take part in trade shows in New York, as they introduce a beaded line and silver and gold plaiting.