Welcome to Nhaka Designs!
My story begins in Zimbabwe, where I was born and raised. Though I’ve now lived in the UK for over 30 years, Zimbabwe will always be my home. As I’ve watched the country’s economy suffer over the last two decades, I’ve felt a deep desire to support the people and community that shaped my childhood and our mission at Nhaka Designs is to shine a light on the amazing contemporary art and design that originates in Zimbabwe.
The word “Nhaka,” which means “inheritance” or “heritage” in Shona, beautifully reflects my belief in the enduring value of craftsmanship. Through my work, I honour the rich storytelling that art embodies and invite you to bring these timeless narratives into your own space.
From age-old, traditional techniques to contemporary design, Zimbabwe is home to an incredible diversity of talented designers. Nhaka Designs wants to share the magic, wonder, rich traditions, and excitement of discovering these gifted artisans with the world.
At the heart of what we do are several guiding principles:
- Empowering artists: We believe that art and design should uplift, ensuring our artists can earn a sustainable and fair living from their work. Our priority is their well-being and their ability to improve the social and economic conditions in their communities.
- Honouring diversity: We celebrate the diversity of culture, heritage, and creativity, holding deep respect for our artists and craftspeople.
- Giving back: For every purchase made, we contribute to woodland restoration and biodiversity preservation in Zimbabwe by planting trees with MyTrees.
- Sustainability: Every piece we source is done sustainably and ethically, and we aim to reduce our environmental footprint by reusing packaging wherever possible.
Ethical and social responsibility lies at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to continuously evolving to ensure our decisions create a positive impact. Our mission is to help people buy less and buy better, focusing on the social and environmental costs of a product before purchasing and significantly reducing consumption. We take pride in championing slow production, striving to minimize our impact on the natural world while doing our best for both people and the planet.
To help you incorporate these beautiful, handcrafted pieces into your home, I also offer an interior styling service. Whether it’s transforming an entire house, refreshing a single room, or simply adding new touches, I’ll work with you to create a space that reflects your style and values.
