Ziimara

Combining heritage craftsmanship with environmental action, Ziimara creates unique, long-lasting sustainable accessories that draw on the architecture, coastlines and culture of Kenya. 

Raw materials like deadstock cotton, fabric offcuts and natural textiles like sisal form luxury handbags and accessories, nodding to the beauty of sisal baskets that enrich Nairobi roadsides. To date, they’ve saved 39.71kg of textile waste, as well as using recycled brass for hardware and zippers.

Embodying a passion for turning material waste into beautiful handcrafted accessories, the name "Ziimara" is derived from two powerful Swahili words – 'Mzima’, meaning ‘complete,’ and 'Imara,' meaning 'stability.' 

Indeed, ‘complete’ might sum up the brand’s impact, as social and environmental action go hand in hand when it comes to these handbags. Master artisans in Kenya handcraft the repurposed materials into the brand’s seasonless designs. This slow-batch production is inherently more sustainable, while preserving the heritage of traditional crafts for generations to come.

Post-production is considered too, with a donation equivalent to 1% of sales going to agroforestry through TIST. Did you know that today Kenya is the least forested country in Africa? This tree planting initiative helps to tackle this with a farmer-led approach. Participants gain carbon finance, as well as benefitting from additional income through the (literal) fruits of their planting efforts.