Makila Nsika - Congo - Global Creative Graduate Showcase
Makila Nsika
Designer biography:
Makila Nsika, deeply rooted in Congo’s artistic traditions, earned a Master’s in French Literature at Sorbonne, focusing on African narratives. Her interest in the links between literature, material culture, and craft led her to jewellery design. She studied fine jewellery at City Lit and founded M.Kala in 2020, reinterpreting Congolese craftsmanship through contemporary design. Her debut collection was featured in SHINE 2021 at the Goldsmiths’ Centre. She later completed an MA in Design at Central Saint Martins, winning the Maison/O Award 2024. Her work blends heritage, material innovation, and modern luxury.
Collection concept:
Almost unseen yet omnipresent, the palm nut underpins industries worldwide. In Congo, its kernel is discarded as food waste. Palms is a jewellery collection that reclaims this material, celebrating its dark, woody beauty and pairing it with recycled precious metals. Each piece blends traditional artisanship and technology, merging symbols from the modern West and ancient Kongo kingdoms. Kernels are sourced from street restaurants, shaped by local artisans, roasted to darken the wood, and laser-engraved with rhombus patterns inspired by Kongo textiles, evoking life cycles, nature, and forest creatures.
