We’ve covered the heart-warming story of Klaylife before but, for those not familiar with the brand, the company’s gorgeous clay bead chandeliers are made by a group of talented South African artisans affected by HIV. With no two pieces the same, due to the handmade nature of the beads, the range is truly special and it’s now looking even more amazing given the brand’s latest collaboration with stylist Jacqui Moore.
“I’ve been working with Klaylife since their launch in February 2015 and was thrilled when they asked me to design part of their next range – as a stylist it is quite rare to get that level of creative freedom,” says Jacqui of the new range that features floor and tables lamps, smaller pendants and new colours too.
“I adore the Klaylife chandeliers but not everyone lives in a home that can take something of that scale and effect. So I wanted to design something that was accessible to everyone, not just in price point, but also in size. That’s where the idea for the spheres and barrel shaped pendants came from,” says Jacqui of the new smaller pendant lights that can be hung solo or in clusters.
“Klaylife’s stunning colour palette runs through a tonal spectrum from black and charcoal to pale grey, stone and soft white and there’s a beautiful bluey-grey colour called Seaspray. It was important that any new colours worked back with that palette,” says Jacqui who has added blush and a statement teal shade into the mix.
“I think what is really magical about these lights and the women who create them, is that there is a personal and lasting connection between them. Since each bead is hand-rolled from locally sourced clay, not only is it unique, but you can see the evidence of the human interaction it took to create it. It’s like leaving a fingerprint and I think that is beautiful,” says Jacqui.
Check out this video to see how the artisans at work.
Photography: Armelle Habib | Art Direction & Styling: Jacqui Moore
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