Thabisa Mjo Crafts the Tutu 2.0 Pendant Light Combining Cultures and Ideas
Amy Duong — March 1, 2018 — Art & Design
References: designindaba & coolhunting
Johannesburg-based designer Thabisa Mjo crafts the award-winning Tutu 2.0 Pendant Light. The unique lighting fixture is crafted to resemble two styles of skirts overlapping one another. The talented designer incorporates both the styles into a chandelier. The Tutu 2.0 Pendant Light blends the look of the classic French ballerina tutu with the Xibelani skirt, which is worn by South Africa's Tsonga women.
The unique Tutu 2.0 Pendant Light is locally crafted and each frame is made from thin steel rods that are bent in Johannesburg. It follows with decoration of wool and various beads that are hand-woven by women of the Boitumelo Sewing Project. Thabisa Mjo expresses that she considers herself more of a storyteller than a designer. She uses design as a medium to tell her stories of culture and representation.
The unique Tutu 2.0 Pendant Light is locally crafted and each frame is made from thin steel rods that are bent in Johannesburg. It follows with decoration of wool and various beads that are hand-woven by women of the Boitumelo Sewing Project. Thabisa Mjo expresses that she considers herself more of a storyteller than a designer. She uses design as a medium to tell her stories of culture and representation.
Trend Themes
1. Cultural Fusion Lighting - There is an opportunity for designers to create lighting fixtures that fuse multiple cultural styles together.
2. Sustainable Local Artisans - More businesses could focus on using locally-sourced, sustainable materials and partnering with local artisans for unique designs.
3. Storytelling Design - Designers can follow Thabisa Mjo's example and use design as a medium for storytelling to create unique and meaningful products.
Industry Implications
1. Home Decor - The home decor industry could benefit from incorporating unique cultural elements, sustainability and storytelling into their designs.
2. Artisanal Products - Artisanal product industries could partner with designers and incorporate sustainable materials and cultural stories into their products to create diversified offerings.
3. Lighting Fixtures - The lighting industry has an opportunity to create culturally-inspired, sustainable and story-focused products that offer a unique perspective.
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