Kouomegne Celia Kamdom

Kouomegne Celia Kamdom

Author: Eunice Nanzala Schumacher, Penina Acayo Laker October 15, 2025 Duration: 40:47

In this episode, Celia shares how a move from Paris to Norway, and a lifelong pull toward design led her to create Oriaku, a jewelry brand that fuses African craftsmanship with Scandinavian minimalism. She reflects on growing up with a seamstress mother who shaped her understanding of fashion, and how lived experiences in different contexts helped her develop her personal design language.

We talk about the work behind her rebrand, the psychology of visual identity, and the ways she reimagines traditional forms—like Fulani earrings—for everyday wear. Celia also offers an inside look at her process of collaborating directly with artisans across Africa, ensuring fair pay, honoring each maker’s strengths, and documenting the histories behind every piece. The conversation expands into identity as well: what it means to find home across Africa, France, and Scandinavia without feeling pressured to choose just one.

Themes: African design, Ethical sourcing, modern minimalism, cultural integrity. 

https://www.oriaku-studio.com/nb, https://www.instagram.com/oriaku_studio/

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Instagram: @myafricanaesthetic 
Website: https://www.myafricanaesthetic.com/


Hosted by Eunice Nanzala Schumacher and Penina Acayo Laker, My African Aesthetic is a conversation about design, place, and community seen through a distinctly African lens. This isn't a history lesson, but a present and future-focused exploration of how African aesthetics and design philosophy actively shape sustainable neighborhoods and gathering spaces across the world. Each episode delves into the practical and philosophical ways these principles manifest, moving beyond theory to highlight real projects, ongoing research, and documented stories. The dialogue you'll hear is built on a foundation of thoughtful construction, aiming to recenter the narrative around the roles Africans have always played-and continue to play-in global placemaking. It’s for anyone curious about the intersection of art, visual culture, education, and the built environment, offering a platform where the process is as important as the final product. Tune in for a podcast that connects cultural heritage to contemporary practice, framing design as a vital tool for community creation and stewardship.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 37

My African Aesthetic
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