East Meets West: African Jewelry Designer Thérésa Adhiambo talks Emeraude Chic

 NAISIAE necklace from Emeraude Chic's New Maasai Line

In honor of my excitement about Kenya POWERED by Rare Customs, I'm giving away one NAISAIE necklace from jewelry designer, Thérésa Adhiambo of Emeraude Chic to a lucky new subscriber to our mailing list! To join the list, visit www.rarecustoms.com and subscribe. Yesterday I had the chance to talk to her about the inspiration behind her new Maasai line and hear some interesting tales from the stunning polyglot.

Rare Customs (RC): Where in Africa are you from?

Thérésa Adhiambo (TA): I was born and raised in Cote D' Ivoire to a Kenyan Father and Mother who is French and Guinean.

RC: Wow, that's a bit of an African United Nations!

TA: Yes, it definitely was. One day I ate Ugali (a traditional Kenyan dish), the next day my mom was making crepes. We spoke French and English in our home and have cousins all over the continent so I was pretty Pan-African from the start.

 Thérésa Adhiambo of Emeraude Chic

RC: You went to an HBCU (Historically Black College and University), what did that mean as an African woman?

TA: My father was the first to go to college and we moved to the US when I was 15. He pushed education early on but also wanted us to know our history. I wanted to really understand the African American experience as an African in America and really just wanted to absorb it all. Going to Morgan State really gave me a stronger sense of pride in who I was and really has served me well. It prepared me to perform well and even better than my counterparts.

RC: So let's move on to fashion! You're a biologist by training - what made you design a jewelry collection?

TA:  I actually started making jewelry for for my mom when I was a kid. As I got older I started making jewelry for myself and people would compliment me all the time. Then it turned into a hobby and I was doing bridal showers and things for friends. Eventually my hobby turned into my business.

RC: Why did you decide to do the Maasai line?

Maasai woman and jewelry

TA: My first line was Sankofa and was very much West African influenced. I am still inspired by the melting pot that my family is and wanted to create a line that bridge the gap between East and West Africa. I love the spikes and colors and richness of East African culture and the strength of the Maasai people. That's where the inspiration for the line came from.

RC: Who is your biggest fashion inspiration?

TA: MY MOM! She used to make her own jewelry. She would go into the jewelry store and carry her own sketches and materials with her. That's actually where Emeraude comes from, it's french for Emerald, her favorite stone and green her favorite color. I remember the jeweler making pieces she'd designed and then replicating them for other customers. My mom taught me everything about style but also taught me about compassion and service. She still gives me input and even comments on my Instagram!

RC: Last question, if there is one place in Africa you'd like to visit, where would that be?

TA: Senegal and Goree Island. I think Wolof sounds so beautiful, it's almost like people are singing when they speak. Even though my family isn't slave descendants, that history is very important to me. I am a very spiritual person and I feel like visiting Goree Island is a way of honoring my African ancestors who went through that experience.

The beach in Saly, Senegal  Thérésa's dream African destination

You can have your very own Emeraude Chic creation and be on trend by visiting their website www.emeraudechic.com or following EmeraudeChic on Twitter, Instagram, and Pintinterest.

Ciao,

Sasyrae

Even if John Kerry doesn’t change the convo on business with Africa – You Should

Leslie Pitterson's piece in Ebony Mag about John Kerry's likely ascension to Secretary of State is a timely piece that hits home for me. I would argue that when 80% of my friends talk to me about Africa, they ask “humanitarian” questions. Which orphanage can I give to? How are people getting water? Is the poverty as bad as they show on TV? And the list goes on. While intentions are good, a conversation around how we can “help” Africans is failed from the start.

We should talk about the opportunities in Africa, opportunities that are actually harder to come by for black diasporans here in the US than on the Motherland. How many people do you know personally running US enterprises in big-time businesses like agriculture, banking, or telecommunications? If you are like me that answer is ZERO.

Beyond just not having the level of wealth needed to invest, these sectors are fully developed in the US with little room to break into the holds of the large conglomerates. With African countries holding 7 of the top 10 slots for GDP growth globally and weathering the economic crisis better than the US and Europe even a beginning business student would argue that the bigger payoffs for a startup lie across the Atlantic.

How do we get there? Jumping up and starting a business in Africa seems like a tall order – and in some ways it actually is but there is hope for us yet. Check out this article about Black American immigrants to Ghana who took advantage of the country’s open door policy and filled gaps in Ghana’s services sector. The message I got from this and from others who’ve done it is “simplify”. Laser-focus on the skills you bring and then understand the market needs.

Not yet ready to get your Marcus Garvey on? Check out the National Black Chamber of Commerce or the National Minority Business Council. Both organizations send trade delegations to African countries as well as to nations with high black populations in the Caribbean and South America. Accompanying a delegation or attending one of their workshops or events is a great way to network, compare business ideas, or crystallize an idea you already have.

If you have some time – check out what these black entrepreneurs had to say about expanding their businesses to Africa.

Ciao! 

Sasyrae