Cape Town sisters taking Africa’s stories to the world

Ananta Design Studio: A design house partnering with local craftspeople, creating jobs, empowering communities, and putting local design on the global stage.

The work of Cape Town’s local craftspeople was all the inspiration that sisters Viveka and Rucita Vassen needed to start Ananta Design Studio, their design and décor business that reimagines the traditional handiwork of Africa to produce beautiful pieces designed for elegant and authentically African modern living.

The Vassen sisters

However, Ananta Design Studio does more than take inspiration from the work of Cape Town’s wire artists and beaders. The Vassen sisters collaborate and partner with NPOs and craft communities to produce beautiful pieces in high demand, which has helped secure their design house a place as one of a dozen Création Africa laureate businesses that graduate from mentorship to full incubation in the French programme.

This phase of Création Africa comprises a five-month journey designed to empower entrepreneurs in the creative and cultural industries; expose them to potential global partners and international markets; give them invaluable exposure, networking opportunities and strategic guidance; and support them through seed funding.

Empowering local women

“We are thrilled to have been selected for Création Africa,” says Viveka. “We launched our studio 2 years ago and are so grateful for the growth and opportunities this incubation program will bring. Being a women owned business, it makes our work all the more meaningful to be able to empower women crafters and create a platform for their skills to shine and their livelihoods to thrive.”

Ananta Design Studio, she adds, has a very clear goal: to empower and uplift communities through creating jobs for crafters. The sisters are determined to grow the emerging international market for the work of Africa’s craftspeople.

“We love that our business allows us the freedom to explore our creativity and bring our ideas to life, while uplifting our local craft communities and making a sustainable social impact,” says Rucita. “Everything we create is filled with colour, pattern, joy, celebration and most importantly, community!”

Création Africa has been a phenomenal experience for us. Learning about the fundamental building blocks of entrepreneurship has given us the skills and knowledge to build a sustainable impact business. We are just getting started and are excited to share the vibrant colours, craftmanship, and culture of Africa with the world. (Viveka Vassen)