Nkenda Style, the African pearls of Nkenda Runavot
Audio 02:57
Nkenda Runavot, founder of Nkenda Style © Didier Teurquetil
By: Maria Afonso
3 min
Jewels like ornaments.
Africa as inspiration.
Bracelets, necklaces, necklaces, earrings and accessories that all of Nkenda Runavot's travels have given birth to.
A passion for raw materials from the African continent and a valuation of the know-how of its craftsmen with whom the designer shares a relationship of design and production.
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I feel like it's in me.
I discover, we exchange.
It's discoveries every time.
What is interesting is to discover other craftsmen, like me.
When it pleases me, it pleases me.
It is a relationship that has always been there.
"NKenda is my first name, it comes from my grandmother and why Nkenda Style? It's a nod to my grandmother, it looks like me"
, explains Nkenda Runavot, founder of Nkenda Style
Nkenda Runavot is a great traveler.
Originally from the Congo, as a teenager, she was looking for originality.
It was his mother who introduced him to jewelry.
Nkenda Runavot launched her brand in 2015: Nkenda Style.
She draws her inspiration and materials from Africa: pearls from Ghana and Senegal, as well as leather from Mali and ebony wood, among others.
Nkenda Ruvanot and one of his creations © Didier Teurquetil
Glass beads, seed beads, but always beads
Fascinated by sets, the designer designs unique jewelry, inspired by traditional models.
Jewelry that looks like him.
"In most of my jewelry there are a lot of glass beads. Glass beads are found specifically in Ghana. Every country has their beads, we find seed beads in South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, but now we are even in Senegal. I really like glass beads, Maasai jewelry. I like what is a little imposing, originality. My inspirations: jewelry to wear every day whatever the season, even the winter, with a turtleneck a wool sweater we can wear an adornment! You have to like to wear a jewel. "
Nkenda Ruvanot and one of his creations © Didier Teurquetil
Valuing African wealth
For the creator of Nkenda Style, it is important to promote artisans and raw materials from the African continent.
"I lived in Senegal and Mali and I go there regularly. They have a craft market. I try to make them a sketch, I ask them to make the jewel and when the result is good I validate. I have my craftsmen, there are three of them and from the beginning, I work with them. I happen to go on site or I make the sketch that I send in photo, then they assemble the beads and then I validate . We have wealth and it is very important to enhance it, "
concludes the designer.
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