I love discovering new, small, independent fashion brands, and London-based conscious accessories brand Ziimara recently caught my eye. Founded by Medini Shah, Ziimara was born out of Medini’s realisation that textile waste could be saved and repurposed into high quality handbags, while preserving artisanal craftsmanship in her home country of Kenya. I’m delighted to be working with Medini, as her brand embodies true circular principles, and social and environmental sustainability. And did I mention, her bags are beautiful?
You can get an exclusive £10 discount at Ziimara with my code: BESMA10OFF
Introducing: Ziimara
Ziimara is named after the Swahili words ‘Mzima’ and ‘Imara’, which translate to ‘Complete’ and ‘Stability’. It encapsulates the brand’s ideals of slow, considered living, that is embodied across their supply chain, and hopefully experienced by all who wear their bags.
The Aardhi Collection is Ziimara’s first collection of luxury handbags, designed with circular fashion principles while weaving in artisanal practices. Take the sisal panel that adorns all three of the bags in this collection; this is handloom woven by master artisans in rural Kenya, and is inspired by the traditional hand-woven sisal baskets that Kenya is famous for. It provides a textural reminder of the bags’ heritage, while providing a beautiful focal point.
Ziimara also gives 1% of their sales to agroforestry projects in Kenya, which is vital for the country, having suffered severe deforestation between the 1960s to 1990s, which resulted in Kenya being the least forested country in Africa. By supporting land regeneration through the planting of diverse tree species, they can avoid desertification, improve soil health, and support farmers to receive additional income from the sale of nuts, fruits, and traditional medicine that the new plants will bring.
My Favourite Ziimara Bag
Of the three handbags in The Aardhi Collection, my favourite has to by the Zima Bag. This crossbody bag is the perfect size for zipping about the city with all my essentials in – my keys, card holder, phone, small beauty bag, mints, notepad, pen, tissues, and of course, my sunglasses. It’s securely fastened with the sisal panel and outer zip, and also has an inner zip pocket for valuables.
The Zima bag is the smallest out of the collection, and comes with three customisable interiors, as well as an adjustable strap and removable chain. If you prefer a larger bag, the Miji is my best recommendation – this bag can comfortably fit a 13″ laptop or A4 folder. It also combines The Aardhi Collection’s signature style with a traditional messenger bag design, which I love.
It’s easy to feel the craftsmanship of Ziimara’s bags, too. The exteriors are crafted with deadstock dry-waxed cotton canvas, sourced from Scotland, while the interiors, sisal panel, brass hardware, are all made in Kenya. The yellow beading on the brass hardware also reminds me of Yala Jewellery, another sustainable Kenyan fashion brand (that is sadly now defunct). Their designs proudly wove together traditional Kenyan beading techniques and contemporary style, much like Ziimara does.
Discover The Aardhi Collection
The Aardhi Collection by Ziimara is now live, with three sister bags inspired by the natural hues of soil, sand, and stone. The bags are incredibly well made, and they all have a timeless design. This limited collection is limited by its use of deadstock fabrics, making it both sustainable and exclusive.
I hope to see more designs from Ziimara in the near future – now I need a matching purse!
Get £10 off your first order at Ziimara with my code: BESMA10OFF
