Veronica Gakio’s workshop on Kilome Road, Nairobi churns out cufflinks you would find hard to imagine are made in Kenya.
Founded two years, she has refined the workmanship techniques used in the making of her jewellery, fashioning the items from horn, brass and semi-precious stones.
At the workshop, I watch as she guides her brand partners on the alignment of a necklace they are crafting. Its centre must sit right under the hollow of the neck for its wearer to dazzle.
“Being keen on details is important to me,” she says.
Ms Gakio is the founder of Ankole Luxury, a sustainable Kenyan brand that creates bespoke jewellery and accessories that “tend to prompt conversations.”
She describes her pieces as investment buys and also versatile.
Ankole Luxury sets itself apart from competitors through its meticulous attention to detail and quality. Every piece of jewelry undergoes a thorough quality check, ensuring no scratches, poor symmetry, or mismatched colors. The use of locally-sourced materials such as repurposed horn, brass, and semi-precious stones adds a distinctive touch to each item, making them truly unique.
Thrilled to share that Ankole Luxury was interviewed by the USA State Department, highlighting our journey of crafting exquisite jewelry and crochet bags for the USA market. Our interview was featured at the Corporate Council on Africa during the US-Africa Business Summit 2024. Grateful for the recognition and excited for what the future holds! #AnkoleLuxury #USAAfricaBusinessSummit
Ankole Luxury was awarded the “Best Product from Kenya” at the 21st East African Community (EAC) Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) Trade Fair, popularly known as the Jua Kali Nguvu Kazi exhibition, in Mwanza, Tanzania, in November 2021. This annual fair celebrates craftsmanship, innovation, and entrepreneurial excellence among small and micro-enterprises across East Africa, providing a platform for artisans and businesses to showcase their unique products to a regional audience. Ankole Luxury’s recognition highlights its dedication to high-quality craftsmanship and distinctive products that reflect Kenyan heritage and artistry.
Ankole Luxury
Is a sustain-able handmade Kenyan brand that celebrates the artistry of local craftsmanship, specializing in jewellery crafted using ethically wired materials which include repurposed horns, brass and semiprecious stones. The brand was founded in 2019 by self-made entrepreneur Veronica Gakio. Combined with brass accents and adorned with semi-precious stones, the jewellery embodies individuality and refined craftsmanship. In its commitment to empowering communities, the brand
collaborates with skilled local artisans, fostering a partnership that brings authenticity and tradition to every creation.The brand also collaborates with women from rural communities to create hand-crocheted bags that are accentuated and finished off with genuine Kenyan leather to enhance quality and durability The brand has accessorized personalities such as Sheila Mwanyigha and Dr Sylvia
all skills passed down by women in our communities. Which local and international fashion brand would you love to collaborate with and why? We are keen on partnering with boutique hotels in Kenya due to their frequent influx of tourists,offering an excel-lent opportunity to showcase our brand to an international audience within the local market. Additionally Neiman Marcus is known for showcasing horn and brass jewellery made in Kenya, making it a perfect fit for our brand. This collaboration could significantly amplify our reach and visibility on an international scale, opening up new avenues for growth and exposure.This collaboration would not only amplify our brand visibility but also support local artisans on a global scale.
Which international fashion plat-form would you love to participate in and why?
Participating in Tribal Chic this year was an incredible experience, and I’m eager to return next year to further showcase our brand. As for international exhibitions, I’m planning to attend “NY Now” to exhibit. New York is a global fashion hub, and “NY Now” attracts a diverse range of industry professionals and buyers from around the world. It provides an appareled platform to introduce our brand to a wider audience, forge valuable connections, and expand our presence in the international market. I would also want to take part in the New York Fashion week.
How does your brand empower our local artisans?
At Ankole Luxury, we pride ourselves in empowering our local artisans. Our brand, rooted in sustainability show cases the exquisite craftsmanship of Kenyan artisans. We extend our mission beyond jewellery, fostering collaborations with women from rural communities. By partnering with us, these artisans gain the means to support themselves and their families, contributing to the preservation and celebration of their traditional skills.
How do you pay homage to your African mob in your creations?
Ankole Luxury is known for crafting jewellery from horn, brass, and semi-precious stones alongside crochet bags. We honor our African heritage in our designs. Our ancestors adorned themselves with horns and brass jewellery inspiring our creations. Additionally the art of crocheting bags was traditionally practiced by women within our communities, a skill we proudly incorporate into our work as a tribute to our roots. This intricate crochet technique used in crafting our bags is reminiscent of the tradition-