September Collective’s Nywele Vase Reimagines the Bantu Knot
Leslie Rivers didn’t set out to start her own modern African home decor and art brand. But when the founder and curator went looking for high-quality pieces available locally and came up short, she decided to take on the challenge herself. Enter: September Collective, a curated homeware brand that celebrates African ancestry in modern living. Based in Toronto, Rivers sources handcrafted objects from across Africa and the African diaspora—from intricate, handwoven Ghanaian placemats to sculptural wooden furniture.
The Nywele Vase in Umber by Kitengela Glass for September Collective. Photography courtesy of September Collective.
September Collective’s newest launch takes the brand to the next level. Designed by Rivers and brought to life by Kitengela Glass artisans in Kenya, the Nywele Vase is the brand’s first in-house designed product. These sculptural glass vases—available in citrine moss, umber, dark umber, moss, and onyx—reflect Rivers’ belief that every object should tell a story.
The Nywele Vase in Umber by Kitengela Glass for September Collective. Photography courtesy of September Collective.
Nywele is the Swahili word for “hair,” and the collection draws inspiration from the Bantu knot—a hairstyle that originated with the Zulu people of South Africa and is seen today across the African diaspora. Mimicking these coiled forms, the vase design brings the Bantu knot to life with a contemporary feel, resulting in “something that could sit in a modern home and still hold a cultural reference,” Rivers says.
The Nywele Vase in Moss by Kitengela Glass for September Collective. Photography courtesy of September Collective.
However, the design process for Nywele was not always straightforward. After Rivers tapped Nairobi-based Kitengela Glass to bring her glassware designs to life, the initial prototypes were too literal in the interpretation of the Bantu knot and needed more rhythm, restraint, and shaping. After rounds of refinement, Rivers and Kitengela’s glassmakers arrived at beautifully constructed, one-of-a-kind hand-blown vases made from recycled glass.
The Nywele Vase in Moss by Kitengela Glass for September Collective. Photography courtesy of September Collective.
“This is what I was always building toward: Not just a product, but a piece with a name, a maker, a meaning, and a place in the home that cannot be filled by anything else,” Rivers explains. “September Collective will never take credit for what an artisan’s hands have made. Our role has always been to honor the craft, share the story, and connect the maker with the people who will carry their work home. Nywele is that promise, made into an object.”
The Nywele Vase in Onyx by Kitengela Glass for September Collective. Photography courtesy of September Collective.
