THE SIJWA PROJECT

A celebration of creativity

Isabel returned from Namibia in February, where she collaborated with the Sijwa project. This collaboration started 3 years ago when she was invited to teach the local ladies in the sewing workshop to expand their repertoire in sewing, pattern making, grading and hand embroidery.

This meaningful project extended not only on to the runway of SA fashion Week but also in to boutiques across the country where you had the opportunity to enjoy the limited edition hand embroidered pieces.
On this trip, Isabel went back to expand the offering of the Sijwa boutique and developed a Linen Homeware Collection that focus on artisan skills as well as introduced two new linen dress designs for the international clients visiting the African Monarch Lodges: www.africanmonarchlodges.com


It was such a fun and full two weeks with embroidery thread scattered all over the workshop, hands dancing across new designs using color to evoke the beauty mirrored by the landscape. Inspiration was taken from the surrounding fauna and flora together with the animals roaming the largest wildlife conservation area, the heart of KAZA and Namibia’s Bwabwata National Park. It is truly one of the most beautiful places in Africa.

We finished our time with a large selection of new items:  hand embroidery table cloths, table runners, very cute napkins and Caprivi landscape cushion covers. We also made beautiful linen wrap dresses and a Apron wrap dress for all shapes and all sizes. The ladies are now equipped to fulfill future orders with their online shop launching soon.

Learn more: https://www.africanmonarchlodges.com/sijwa/sewing/