What better way to celebrate Women’s Month than with the joy of creativity and design. Aranda Textiles has been honoured to work with some of South Africa’s leading female designers, artists and creatives, and the result is the launch of beautiful new blankets and throws that combine our unique African heritage with creative flair.
Under the My Africa brand, Aranda has collaborated with talented pattern designer Glorina Khotso Mabaso of Renaissance Design. The collaboration culminated in the launch of the first-ever My Africa Designer Collection blanket inspired by the Himba people of Namibia. Glorina has a passion for reviving the ancient cultural knowledge of the African continent. Using design as her language, she seeks to preserve African history through modern pattern design. The My Africa Himba blanket celebrates this semi-nomadic tribe who have made the desert their home.
Aranda also had the opportunity to work with Sophie Msoziswa Mahlangu, a leading custodian of Ndebele heritage. An expert bead weaver and painter, she celebrates the traditional aesthetics of the Ndebele in both traditional and contemporary products. Sophie was recently awarded the Order of Ikamanga by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which honours those who have excelled in the arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport. Aranda was honoured to work with her to translate one of her original paintings into a blanket called UnoSinky. This unique blanket is the perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Whether worn or used as a throw at home, this design is truly a celebration of Sophie’s creativity and passion for passing on her knowledge to the next generation.
Aranda is the proud manufacturer of iconic Basotho heritage blankets. In 2022, the first Basotho Young Designers Collection was launched. This biennial collection aims to create the next generation of Basotho blankets designed by Basotho creatives. Through the blanket, they can tell their own stories and keep the rich tradition of blanket-wearing alive for generations to come. The inaugural collection featured two designs by Alice Perring, a Lesotho-born beauty and fashion entrepreneur now based in the United States. She designed both the Diaspora Diamond and Diaspora Maize blankets, which celebrate the spread of Basotho culture beyond Lesotho. The 2024 Basotho Young Designers Collection, which launched in June, features two female creators. Matabe Lunya Tsoli, who is currently studying for a degree in Fashion and Retail, designed the Ngoale blanket, inspired by the Basotho female initiation ritual. Malehloka Halalele, popularly known as Male, is an African pop artist and singer, and her blanket “Kobo e Boloko” (Blanket of Salvation) was inspired by her grandmother, whose strong faith was essential to her role as head of her family.
The Basotho, as well as the Amandebele, are one of the largest blanket-wearing cultures in Southern Africa. In 2019, King Makhosonke II Mabena of the Ndebele Kingdom married Queen Sekhotali Mabena, who was born Princess of Lesotho. Aranda was fortunate to work with Their Majesties to create the Ndlovukazi Blanket, in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sekhotali Mabena and to celebrate the unification of these great blanket-wearing cultures. The design uses the classic Ndebele Umbalo stripes as the base of the blanket and incorporates familiar Basotho symbols.
This Women’s Month, join us in celebrating the creativity of all these great women, as well as those Aranda will continue to work with in the future. There is a wealth of talent across Africa and the vibrancy of design, colour and strength make the women of this continent worthy of admiration and praise.
Contact: My Africa.
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