Shining the spotlight on the women behind Afrigarde
In Women’s Month, emerging creative Maria Uys and social entrepreneur Bianca Hansen, are two woman who are walking the talk.
They’ve helped a group of women upskill themselves with high-end jewellery skills and produce this stunning range of Ndebele hand-felted wearable art.
When Maria was selected for the Design Indaba Emerging Creatives program, her and Bianca’s Afrigarde brand began making waves. They’ve exhibited at trade shows abroad and Berlin Fashion Week.
Driving demand is retail interest from Namibia all the way to New York. Each original piece in the range is made from upcycled material and finished in Merino Wool which is then hand-felted.
Maria’s concept is how we might dress in an Africa where we’re over cultural biases and inspired by all aspects that make us African. Maria is working two other jobs to support herself and help Afrigarde grow and Bianca is graduating from university at the end of the year.
