Behind the Label | One Fine Thread

Jewelery entrepreneur Anna Haber and jeweler Sabine Roemer traveled to Botswana, to collaborate with local tribeswomen on ?Jewels of the Kalahari?. The exquisite collection of bracelets, earrings and necklaces are intricately crafted from natural resources and inspired by global traditions of craftsmanship and the ancient skills of ingenious African communities.

Jewelery entrepreneur Anna Haber and jeweler Sabine Roemer traveled to Botswana, to collaborate with local tribeswomen on ?Jewels of the Kalahari?. The exquisite collection of bracelets, earrings and necklaces are intricately crafted from natural resources and inspired by global traditions of craftsmanship and the ancient skills of ingenious African communities

 

What is the overall style of the collection?

 

Modern craft.

 

Photos courtesy Boo George

 

 

 

What encouraged you to start your own line and how did you go about doing so?

 

4 years ago, I came to meet the Bushmen of the Kalahari through a random coffee with a friend and an anthropologist who had spent 15 years or so living with the Bushmen in the Kalahari.  They told me about the wonderful jewelry that the Bushmen are creating.  Once I saw it, I fell in love with the work straight away, the designs felt so modern even though they were made from ostrich egg shells.  Supposedly this jewelry is the first recorded jewelry in our history.   Every part of the ostrich egg is used. Firstly the egg can feed up to a family of 10, then the bushmen use the shell as a container for water, then when the shell eventually breaks they use the shards to make the jewelry.

 

 

 

I went out to visit the Bushmen straight away and brought back pieces that I sold to Dover street market in London, who loved the collection.  I have then worked with the community since, working on new designs and introducing their work to new markets and telling their stories of creativity through the collections.

 

 

 

 

 

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

 

From the Bushmen themselves who are inspired by their changing surroundings and infused with my inspiration from fashion worldwide to architecture to women who wear jewelry so stylishly from the ladies of Africa to Iris Apfel to Frida Kahlo.

 

 

 

 

 

What do you find the most inspiring destination in the world?

 

Anywhere in Africa! I have been from south to north, east to west and each area I have been to is so special in its own totally unique way from the traditions, fashion styles in dress and jewelry, landscapes to the food. However wherever I have gone, the people have captivated me with their great souls, humor and generous spirits. 

 

 

What is your own personal style? 

 

Modern classic with a twist, the twist is always about my accessories.  Most of my jewelry is tribal as I love pieces that make a statement and tell a story.

 

 

 

 

 

What is one of the best shopping finds you?ve had in your travels?

 

A Cowrie shell necklace that I found in Timbucktoo.

 

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