Welcome to ‘Behind the Brand’, a captivating blog series where we unveil the stories and faces behind the diverse brands nestled in our new, permanent location “the edit”, presented by Style Canada, in the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Join us as we journey through the heart and soul of each brand, exploring the inspirations, challenges, and triumphs that shape their unique identities. From local artisans to international labels, get ready to discover the vibrant tapestry of creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that defines our curated collection of brands. Stay tuned as we take you behind the scenes and introduce you to the captivating narratives behind each brand, one story at a time.
Meet Colette
Website: www.savutistyle.com
Instagram: @savuti.co
Photo provided by Savuti
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
After graduating from University, I moved to South Africa to live and work for over 5 years. Upon returning, I thought how can I support the arts and microenterprises from southern Africa with a special focus on women-led businesses with a focus on women empowerment.
Share the story behind your brand.
The concept started back in 1999. I travel to Africa to seek out and connect with creators of pottery, textiles and jewelry. I am always in search of pieces that have an African aesthetic, while suited to todays modern customer. It is also important for me to learn the story of the collections and I enjoy collaborating on custom designs. Each time, I touch the ground in Africa, an exhilarating feeling of discovery hits me. I hope every Savuti customer gets that same feeling. Together, we are leveraging business for good.
What inspires me?
To me, there is nothing more exciting than discovering a new artist that preserves age-old cultural traditions that are in danger of being lost. Such artisanal communities get to unlock their own potential, share the know-how that is woven into their ancestral memory, and culturally enrich the world while earning sustainable incomes.
Photo Provided by Savuti
Where’s your favourite summer vacation spot?
Of course, it would be somewhere in Africa. My eyes are on Namibia this year.
What can we expect from your brand in 2024?
Curating new collections is always exhilarating and sharing the amazing stories behind the products. At the forefront a stronger focus on environmental responsibility will be top of mind.
