Black-owned New Zealand brands to support now & always
Hi Saucettes! I’m Siposetu Duncan, a South African born creative, stylist and model. Auckland’s currently my home while I figure myself out, ya know? It was a pleasure to round-up just a few of my treasured black-owned local businesses. Now, and always, we need to collectively use our wallets and voices as mechanisms for change, support and empowerment.
I hope you find something special for yourself from a brand or two below, I know I have.
Kaiso
Kaiso Bags, founded by Summer Gribble, is a contemporary handbag label with an individualistic flare. Summer, a creative born in Barbados, is a self-taught leatherworker residing in Auckland. Summer handcrafts each piece in her Auckland studio. Her pieces are inspired by her Caribbean background and from our everyday living. Her collections are packed with earthy-tones, designed for versatility, functionality and aesthetic.
Mama Taku’s Butters
Mama Taku's Butters is an eponymous haircare brand, founded by Mama Taku. Mama Taku is a Zimbabwean entrepreneur residing in Hamilton. She saw a need in her community and provided a line of hair products for people with curly and textured hair. The Butters can be used for immaculate hair maintenance, hair pampering and styling. The Butters are handmade with natural ingredients and with love, perfect for everyone’s hair journey.
Mamia's
An award-winning Ethiopian sauce made with love, by Yeshi Taye. Based in Wellington, Yeshi Taye shares with us a special taste from Ethiopia, her home country. Mamia’s is an authentic sauce, flavoured with externally sourced spices from Ethiopia. This product is vegan-friendly, nut-free, gluten-free, GMO-free and has no preservatives or added sugars. The sauce comes in three different spice levels: Mild, Medium and Kiwi-Hot.
Ubuntu Home
Created by Jane Benney, Ubuntu Home consists of a variety of handcrafted African art, home goods, gifts and collectables. The spirit behind Ubuntu, meaning ‘we are one’, is to find ways to implement and impact positive change throughout the world. Ubuntu Home's creative pieces present an innovative way to take the spirit of African culture home with you, the collectables advocate for love and togetherness.
Aggrey Jewellery
Founder, Jessica Aggrey, has been designing and creating her own unique jewellery pieces in New Zealand since the early 90s. Jessica’s infatuation with the way people adorn themselves has crafted collections that dazzle, yet are simplistic and elegant. Jessica designs and creates pieces at her home studio in Auckland, and she also produces a small collection of handmade pieces with talented makers in Bali. Her unique and distinctive pieces are inspired by her Ghanaian heritage.
PASYANCÉ
Founder, Pasyancé Ngembe Kajinga Chiyesu, created PASYANCÉ (‘patience’ in French) to bring to life African inspired hand-crafted prints. Based in Auckland, her inspiration behind the brand stems from childhood memories and her appreciation for her mother. PASYANCÉ homeware items are handmade using rich and vibrant African fabrics that represent her love for her homeland, The Democratic Republic of Congo.
Yoga with Wendy Douglas
Yoga with Wendy Douglas is an Auckland based yoga course that shares the knowledge and experiences of the iconic Ashtanga yoga practice. A modern-day form of classical Indian yoga. Wendy, originally from North London, carries Caribbean heritage and currently operates out of Warkworth New Zealand. Her unique and safe space is used to encourage and uplift people in their day-to-day lives, bringing fun and lightness to the practice of yoga and building a community of like-minded people.
Words & Image — Siposetu Duncan
