Leslie Rivers didn’t set out to start her modern brand of African home decor and art. But when the founder and conservator went looking for high-quality locally sourced pieces and came up short, he decided to take on the challenge himself. Enter: The September Collective, a curated homeware brand that celebrates African ancestry in modern life. Based in Toronto, Rivers sources handmade items from across Africa and across Africa—from local Ghanaian handwoven mums to carved wooden furniture.
Nywele Vase in Umber by Kitengela Glass from September Collective. Image courtesy of September Collective.
The new launch of the September Collective takes the brand to the next level. Designed by Rivers and brought to life by Kitengela Glass artisans in Kenya, the Nywele Vase is the first product designed in-house. These sculpted glass vessels—available in citrine moss, umber, black umber, moss, and onyx—reflect Rivers’ belief that everything should tell a story.
Nywele Vase in Umber by Kitengela Glass from September Collective. Image courtesy of September Collective.
Nywele is a Swahili word for “hair,” and the collection draws its inspiration from the Bantu knot—hair that was pioneered by the Zulus of South Africa and is today seen in the African diaspora. By imitating these integrated forms, the vase design brings the Bantu knot to life with a modern feel, resulting in “something that can sit in a modern home and still hold a cultural reference,” says Rivers.
Nywele Vase in Moss by Kitengela Glass for September Collective. Image courtesy of September Collective.
However, the hair design process was not always straightforward. After Rivers tapped Kitengela Glass of Nairobi to bring his glassware designs to life, the first prototypes were more realistic in their interpretation of the Bantu knot and required more rhythm, restraint, and shaping. After a round of refinement, Rivers and Kitengela’s glassmakers arrived at a beautifully crafted, hand-blown vase made from recycled glass.
Nywele Vase in Moss by Kitengela Glass for September Collective. Image courtesy of September Collective.
“This is what I’ve always built on: Not just a product, but a piece with a name, a maker, a meaning, and a place in the home that can’t be filled by anything else,” explains Rivers. “The September Collective will never be proud of what was done by the hands of an artisan. Our role has always been to respect the craft, share the story, and connect the maker with the people who will take their work home. Nywele is that promise made into a thing.
Nywele Vase in Onyx by Kitengela Glass for September Collective. Image courtesy of September Collective.
