TheUrbanative’s 2018 Collection Is Inspired by Traditional African Hairstyles

South African design company TheUrbanative, founded by Mpho Vackier, just released their 2018 collection which takes inspiration from traditional African hairstyles. The African Crowns Collection comprises furniture, lighting, and accessories that explore the sculptural lines, forms, and textures of the majestic hairstyles.

The collection includes seating, tables, planters, storage, lighting and decorative objects, featuring woven and braided elements that pay homage to those artistic hair crowns, along with geometric shapes and a modern color palette. Wanting to celebrate the importance of hair in ancient African civilizations and how it becomes such a part of who the person is, the brand aims to share functional products that are not only fun, but tell a cultural story that someone from modern times can relate to and appreciate.

Caroline Williamson is the former Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk and a writer with a passion for modern design, architecture, and creative culture. She holds a BFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, solving New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or curating Spotify playlists.

You can follow Caroline Williamson on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Linkedin. Read all of Caroline Williamson's posts.