Stoned Cherrie blossoms

Over the years, Stoned Cherrie’s Afro-chic aesthetic has woven its way into the hearts and souls of fashion-savvy, Afro-politan women. Now the iconic brand is making its way into homes too.

Founder Nkhensani Nkosi is moving Stoned Cherrie, now in its second decade, beyond the borders of conventional fashion and into a new direction as an integrated, consumer-lifestyle brand.

Stoned Cherrie will soon offer wedding dresses, fragrances, homeware items, leather goods and accessories. We’re most excited about Nkhensani’s new hand-painted ceramic range, which will be unveiled at the Southern Guild exhibition in September.  

“I’ve always fancied myself as an artist but always thought that, without formal training, I couldn’t express this commercially,” says Nkhensani. “I’ve grown to learn that art is an expression that blossoms when you let it be. I’ve been quite prolific with my hand-painted ceramics, which I’ve always been passionate about.”

Remy Raitt spoke to Nkhensani to find out more about her ceramics:

What is the inspiration behind the designs?

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been intrigued by the concept of creation. I’ve been equally fascinated by the idea that there’s a matrix or sacred geometry, which is the basic DNA of all creation. I came across the concepts of the flower of life, the egg of life and the tree of life and have been amazed at how these concepts can be found in all major religions of the world.

The range is an expression of the oneness of spirit, commonality or unity that’s expressed in the various tribes of the world through geometric patterns and shapes. Central to the shapes used in the range, is the heart – the universal symbol of love. It’s an expression of my fundamental belief that, at the core of our DNA, is love.

Can you explain your colour and pattern choices?

The first range is black and white with various accent colours (browns, ochres and aqua). I chose black and white because, when you buy into the philosophy that only love is real and that love is the basic truth of our spiritual being, then everything becomes black and white – it becomes clearer. Love is a basic human condition and the use of black and white for me is a return to basics. 

Are all the ceramics hand painted?

There is a range of bespoke hand-painted ceramics, but we’re looking to also have a more commercial range under the Stoned Cherrie brand.

How does this home collection embrace Stoned Cherrie’s Afro-chic aesthetic?

I think the Afro-chic aesthetic is not only about form, print, colour and all the other visual attributes that have often been used to define it. I believe it’s more about the intent, philosophy and DNA of a product or style. Therefore everything we do will always be African in soul.

Do you have plans to expand further into homeware?

This is new territory for us, but as we grow further as a lifestyle brand, we will expand our offering.

Where will these items be sold?

We’re targeting trade shows in the coming months and hope to sell in various specialty stores internationally. We’ll also be selling on our e-commerce platform from February 2012. And we’re also looking at collaborations with companies who are already in the homeware space. This will hopefully translate into greater accessibility of our products.

More information: www.stonedcherrie.co.za