adminI KNOW lots of people love jewellery and would go to any length to own a rare piece of jewellery . . . but what if I told you that you could find yourself a stunning piece of jewellery right next door? Well I really find it ironic how locally handmade jewellery lacks appreciation from local people, yet most of the jewellery we purchase from abroad has most of its material imported from Africa.
A model friend of mine, Tholakele Dlamini sent me a link of a recent interview done by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) with a Zimbabwean jewellery maker — Joe Mutoko, who is a third generation jewellery maker in Victoria Falls. It was said that his family has been practicing the trade for over three generations and he sought to create bespoke high-end jewellery for the Ndau Collection.
The Ndau people are well known for their high artistic skills and rich culture.
In the the interview, Mutoko said he started making jewellery at a tender age and would use resources such as copper, beads, glass, bones, teeth and wire to make rings, pendants, ear-rings and other trinkets.
The Ndau Collection is based in the Elephant’s Walk Shopping Village in Victoria Falls, and is the place where they create their eclectic jewellery and accessory collections, using precious metals, gemstones, rare beads and other adornments.
- The Ndau Collection is a locally designed brand of high end jewellery and accessories handmade from:
- Antique African Trade beads
- Lost wax cast sterling silver
- Natural bone and horn
- Exotic leathers such as crocodile and ostrich skin.
Based in Victoria Falls, the Ndau Collection is the epitome of locally hand crafted jewellery and with no doubt is assisting in beefing up tourism in Zimbabwe.
While I was researching on the brand I found out that they had also ventured and launched their first scent collection.
The luxury scents were created in collaboration with South African perfumer, Tammy Frazer of Frazer Parfum.
Said to be blended from rare botanicals and aromatics each scent takes the wearer on a journey inspired by Africa’s past and present, from the origins of perfume on the continent to the treks of the continent’s first inhabitants through to the present day traveller.
I really wouldn’t mind trying out some of their scents . . .
I understand that the collection comprises: Rainforest, a spritzer perfume inspired by the Victoria Falls; Cacao Ndau, a limited edition signature women’s scent presented in a hand blown glass bottle; Explorer, a limited edition signature men’s scent also presented in a hand blown glass bottle; and a Cacoa Ndau Parfum Solide, presented in a beautiful Blackwood compact, hand carved in Mozambique.
I also found out that they did not use any chemicals, or synthetic molecules when formulating their fragrances.
The fragrances, since they are made on a limited edition or range, cost an arm and a leg but I think are worth it. They range between $75 and $400. Some might find the pricing absurd but what about those expensive Western fragrances? The same can be said about them.
And here we were led to believe that Zimbabwe didn’t have the capacity to create precious items such as jewellery and perfume.
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Hey I’m Stha. Got your number from the Sunday paper, I think you should know that I love your articles, especially the one on make-up. Yes, I am a girl but I’m really not into that stuff, it makes me feel like am not myself. That’s what I can say, thanks for the topic. — 0771480683.
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derick.khumalo