When we view the vastness of the universe, it’s easy to feel as though we are inconsequential. However, Welcome To The Universe author, Neil Degrasse Tyson, introduces to us a way of thinking in which that enormity is the foundation of interconnectedness. He writes, ‘I am big because I am connected to the universe and the universe is connected to me.’ What Tyson does here is show how a slight change in perspective can create a multi-verse of potential dialogues and expressions.

At Hamethop, Joburg-based designer Tsakani Mashaba embraces Tyson's viewpoint by exploring her far reaching interests across arts and culture, to deliver thought-provoking fashion. The latest collection of handbags, entitled Burkina, elevates the African lived experience. “We aimed to go beyond the perceived limits of African architecture and design,” she says. “Guided by purposeful research, the interaction between humans, environments and the spirit became prevailing themes.”

Mashaba founded Hamethop in 2015 centred on a dedication to craftsmanship and sustainability. The brand uses recycled fabrics and ethically sourced leather in its collections. “Longevity is important to me and I create from that space. I like the idea of projecting myself beyond the moment. I always think of how my designs would look and feel years from now,” she explains.

For Burkina, Mashaba was inspired by the architecture of Tiébélé, a village in Burkina Faso that has preserved a symbolically traditional approach to home-building that is in harmony with nature. The round, windowless structures are made from clay and wood and the married women of the native tribes decorate them in bright, hand-painted designs steeped in symbolic meanings relating to their belief systems and the everyday. In many ways, these homes are embodiments of community, spirituality, culture and identity. And when viewed individually and en masse, on the ground and from above, they present a multitude of intriguing patterns and perspectives.

Leaning into both the forms and the multidimensionality of Tiébélé architecture, Burkina is not only an elegant and versatile collection of arch-handled bags but also an intentional invitation to embrace a non-linear and imaginative way of life.