Ancestral basketry turned luxe
Founded in 2014 by Zinhle Vilakati and Philippa Thorne in collaboration with New York designer Sapna Shah, Khokho transforms Eswatini’s centuries-old basketry traditions into contemporary luxury handbags. The name of the atelier means great-grandmother in Siswati, and reflects its mission: to honour ancestral skills while creating new opportunities for rural women. Khokho works with elder craftswomen whose knowledge might otherwise be lost, supporting a rediscovery of almost forgotten weaving techniques traditionally used to make sturdy chopping boards.
Each piece combines handwoven fibres with fine leatherwork, crafted by a small team of around ten local artisans in a slow, made-to-order process. Beyond being an accessory, Khokho bags embody an uplifting philosophy: process and material matter, tradition has a central place in global fashion, and African craftsmanship is luxury. By celebrating the value of time, skill and natural materials, Khokho creates handbags that are both heritage and statement pieces.
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Khokho
