About us

BINKY NEWMAN and DESIGN AFRIKA

Design Afrika was established in 1995 by Binky Newman after 15 years of involvement in various aspects of African craft. She had just left the Okavango Delta, where she had run a wilderness camp for five years, taking with her the intricately woven baskets of the Hambukushu women. These became the first products in the Design Afrika collection of finely made handwork. Binky’s passion for baskets has taken her to many remote parts of the continent to track down weavers and she is now an acknowledged reference in African basketry.

Binky and her team at Design Afrika strive to nurture the creative and entrepreneurial initiative of rural communities by encouraging the production of high quality, on trend products. By promoting well-made, functional and artistic craft, Design Afrika aims to contribute to the acknowledgement of Africa as a source of inspiration and design skills. Design Afrika is passionate about the sustainability of its products and to this end, adheres to ethical and fair trade business practice.