Sunny Rose
I don’t know what the exact inspiration behind the Sunny Rose bag designs currently on CoutureLab is, but for me I am reminded of sea creatures, and can’t help but think of graceful anemone and brightly coloured jellyfish floating amidst colourful coral reefs.

Nigerian-born but now living in Switzerland, Sunny Rose creator Maureen Okogwu traces her love of accessories back to her childhood of often rummaging through her mother’s wardrobe. Maureen set up the luxury accessories brand, Sunny Rose in 2006 after a successful career as a model. Named after the first names of her father and mother respectively, the designs are inspired by Maureen’s travels across the globe.

The striking designs combine luxury leathers like eel-skin with flowing signature strands of ostrich feathers and leather strips. Embellishment like crystals hand stitched onto leather, ramps up the glamour factor. Gorgeous detailing can be found in suede lined interiors, and a puckering effect created by ruching and stitching the leather adds texture. A metal fitting of outstretched bird claws provide the finishing touch. 

Stunning vibrant colours and the attention to detail will definitely turn heads.

Sseko Designs
Sandals that help turn dreams into reality. Sseko Designs is a sandal making company based in Kampala, Uganda; enabling young women to earn money to then fund their dreams of achieving a university education.

Sseko Designs was set up by Liz, an American, who visited Uganda after graduating college in 2008. Whilst in Uganda Liz met the young women of the Cornstone community who were receiving their education through the Cornstone Leadership Academy. From what I understand the Ugandan education system has a gap of nine-months between completing secondary school and entering university, this is intended to allow students to earn money for tuition. However this is not always possible especially when it comes to women.

Creating lovely summer sandals, Sseko Designs hires secondary school graduates during the nine-month period, providing the jobs to help save the money needed and is an enterprise that is constantly evolving given how the workers will change every nine-months. Sseko Designs seeks to uphold the principles of responsible consumerism by not only enabling a steady income for a set period, but also to contribute to long term economic sustainability these women will provide once they graduate as: doctors, lawyers, nurses, accountants, teachers or even innovative designers in their own right. 

Made from leather the sandals are supplied as a base with anchor points and a pair of solid cotton or leather straps allowing you to tie them however you want. You can also purchase individual straps separately to interchange according your colour mood. Sseko Designs sandals are simple and easy to wear, perfect whether strolling around town or relaxing by the beach… and they have even become favourites of brides requesting them for themselves and their bridesmaids. 

So why not buy the sandals, support the initiative and help make dreams come true.

The Khaya Cookie Company
The thing I hate about cookies is that if they are tasty you can’t just eat one…and looking at the delicious offerings from The Khaya Cookie Company I think I should start running in the opposite direction because they look absolutely irresistible!

Khaya cookies are handmade in the winelands of South Africa, using locally sourced ingredients. Working with the local community the freshest organic fruits come from local farmers and no preservatives are used, just natural healthy goodness. The Khaya Cookie Company has helped create jobs within the Drankenstein region of South Africa, assisting previously employed men and women to become not only highly skilled bakers, but also offering training in all aspects of running the business through a Skills Training programme. In 2007 the company was awarded, ‘Edible Entrepreneur of the Year’ by the Food Network in the USA. With the distribution centre located in Philadelphia, USA, Khaya cookies are available in retail stores across America, in addition to online via their website which offers international shipping.

Tempt your taste buds with fruits like succulent apricots, moist dates and grapeseeds mixed with chewy grains; go for cranberry and Rooibos in buttery rich shortbread; or for a truly indulgent treat, orange zest and Belgian chocolate.

Time to put the kettle on!

Chichia
Pattern and texture collide, through the colourful eye-catching prints that make up Chichia London's pretty and youthful collections. I just love the imagery of the 'Made in Dar' Spring/Summer 2010 collection shown here... they give a beautiful vintage feel to the clothing.

The Chichia London label was established in 2007 by London-based designer, Christine Mhando. Having grownup in London, Christine’s collections pay homage to her birthplace; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania through the use of the ‘Khanga’ print, a signature staple of her designs that appears across tops, dresses, skirts and other items within her collections, all brought to life with intricate detailing and embellishment. 

Gorgeous!

Bella Luccè
Established in 2003 natural skincare company, Bella Luccè was born out of necessity, the need to find a natural approach to skincare after creator, Lela Barker’s older sister discovered tumors in her breast whilst still in her ‘20s. In a bid to find out why this had happened Lela’s research led her to the preservatives being used in cosmetics. After discovering that those dreaded ‘parabens’ were present in most of her beauty and skincare products Lela turned to alternative solutions from her local health and organic shops, but found that although healthier were uninspiring. 

Lela wanted to combine luxury, decadence and beautiful packaging with the organic benefits and so began her quest to create her own healthy products, starting out in her kitchen. And what started out as a hobby has now turned into a fully-fledged business based in South Carolina, USA. Today Bella Luccè’s product offerings range from bath and body luxuries to beautifully wrapped soaps and are intended to be totally indulgent and naturally good, bringing together the best ingredients from around the world.

Bella Luccè collections draw inspiration from global beauty rituals; Lela’s travels to Africa took her through Ghana, Morrocco, Mali, Egypt, Uganda culminating in the African Adventures Luxe Collection which uses naturals oils, fruits and extracts found on the continent. Handmade soap is wrapped in custom-made Bologan cloth from a women’s cooperative in Djenne, Mali. Ingredients including: Baobab and Yangu Seed oils from Kenya, Rooibos extract from South Africa and vanilla absolute from Madagascar are blended with Nilotica shea butter harvested and processed by women from Uganda.

Bella Luccè is stocked in luxury spas, salons and natural wellness centres; with stockists throughout the USA, Canada and internationally. Also do check out the other inspiring collections: Asian Indulgences, Rainforest Restoration, Arabian Odyssey and the Classic Collection.