Founder of Ovazania Jewellery, Refiloe Khobane
In a period of time when we're inundated with what feels like consistent bad news, we wanted to put some emphasis on the positive. This is another installment in "Collective Conversations," a weekly series focusing on a woman we think is awesome + what she's all about. This week we're talking to Refiloe Khobane, the wonderful woman behind the contemporary, African-inspired jewelry brand Ovazania. Ovazania has been featured in our West Melbourne store from the very beginning, constantly turning heads with vibrant colour, bold shapes and unique design. Born and raised in South Africa, Refiloe draws on traditional Ndebele geometric patterns and Zulu designs for her inspiration. Today we talked to her about therapy, heritage and trusting yourself.
1. Describe yourself in three words?
An insane dreamer.
2. What do heritage and tradition mean to you?
Being South African heritage means everything, it’s a way of keeping connected to our past and present identities through our hybrid of cultures and traditions. We even have a public holiday Heritage Day dedicated to celebrating the rich, vibrant, and diverse cultures.
3. Something you're passionate about?
Creating by any means necessary.
1. Describe yourself in three words?
An insane dreamer.
2. What do heritage and tradition mean to you?
Being South African heritage means everything, it’s a way of keeping connected to our past and present identities through our hybrid of cultures and traditions. We even have a public holiday Heritage Day dedicated to celebrating the rich, vibrant, and diverse cultures.
3. Something you're passionate about?
Creating by any means necessary.
7. What's something you do to be kind to yourself?
Starting my therapy has been the best act of kindness that I have done for myself.
8. What are some traditions you've adopted from somewhere or someone else?
Cleaning with a fire playlist and of course, always cooking delicious meals, always reminds me of home.
9. How do you align and connect with your intuition?
As a spiritually ‘inclined’ person I believe that your intuition is always a part of you, you don’t have to connect with something that you inherently within you, I guess the best way to describe it would be to say; Go Within and Trust Yourself.
10. What's an assumption others make about you?
That I have it all together haha, I wish! But that’s probably the imposter syndrome in me that makes me oppositely view myself.
11. Is there an item that you would like to see from Collective Closets in the future?
Oh yes, definitely bespoke homewares, in the style and aesthetic of Collective Closets. Bold prints and one of a kind ornamental pieces.
You can follow Ovazania on Instagram here and visit their website here.
