Nkuli Mlangeni-Berg is a textile designer and founder of The Ninevites, a tribute to black aesthetics. Her passion for black culture and women's empowerment inspired her to establish the award-winning collaborative textile design platform. The bold, geometric patterns are inspired by traditional South African basketry, pottery, murals and beadwork. At the weavery in the Western Cape, local women hand-spin and dye raw wool and mohair before hand-weaving the tactile rugs based on The Ninevites’ designs. Two unique designs have been developed exclusively for Svenskt Tenn.

Photo by Kent Andreasen

Theresa Traore Dahlberg is a filmmaker and visual artist who formulates engaging and complex narratives through installation, sculpture, photography and film. Theresa's grandmother came from the town of Boubou-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso and was a master storyteller. Inspired by the African folktales from her childhood, as well as by her on-going collaboration with contemporary bronze casters in Burkina Faso, Theresa has developed a brand-new addition to Svenskt Tenn's family of figurines. This little tortoise doubles as a candlestick holder, wise and steady.

Photo by Patricia Reyes

Damien Ajavon is an artist known for their evocative textile works. Ndaté Yalla Mbodj, Damien’s great-great-great grandmother was the Queen of the Waalo region in northwest Senegal during the mid-1800s. During her reign she fought against French colonialism and is a revered African heroine on account of her bravery. Damien has interpreted one of the few portraits of their ancestor, using jacquard weaving to bring her to life. In their practice, Damien explores textile making through knotting, braiding, knitting and most recently traditional Manjak weaving; using textile language to unearth and weave connections with their ancestry.

Photo by Chai Saeidi

Lincoln Kayiwa a designer inspired by both his Ugandan roots and his Nordic life. Blending the two in a unique way, he borrows principles and aesthetic elements from the rich cultures and traditions of African and Nordic art, craft and design to make bold, playful, yet fully functional artefacts. For Svenskt Tenn, Lincoln has developed a platter made of upcycled glass in collaboration Nomoda “Cedi” Djaba, a Ghanaian glass artist who learnt the trade from his grandfather.

Photo by Chikako Harada