In 2009, designer Amy Walker was living in Rwanda doing business development for a non-profit when she started to notice the discarded cow horns in the area. She immediately sensed the artistic potential in the material and contacted her good friend, Maxandra Short, to help her create pieces of jewelry from horn — a material from local butcheries that would have been otherwise discarded. Two years later, Kora, the brain-child of the girls, is a full-fledged, continuously growing jewelry line that is sold throughout the states and has been featured in Teen Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Refinery 29, and (you guessed it) Marie Claire!
The sustainably sourced cow horn is handcrafted by artisans in Ghana and Kenya, and thanks to the fair-wage treatment the girls employ, the workers now have roofs over there head (incredibly important considered the huge rain storms in those areas!), and the community is hoping to get a generator next year so that they don't lose electricity for days at a time.
And as for Amy and Maxandra, they are just getting started. They now use recycled aluminum and brass, ribbons and tassels, and are planning to expand their collection even more in 2012.
Below on the left is Amy's favorite piece — "for its elegance and simplicity" — and on the right Maxandra's pick. "I love the contrast between the organic curve and texture of the horn," Maxandra notes. I couldn't agree more!
-
Jennifer Lopez Gets Down to Business in a Mocha Brown SuitThe star's business trip to Dubai began with sultry Saint Laurent suiting.
-
New York's Acne Whisperer Launched Her First Rich Cream and My Skin Has Never Looked BetterMega hydration without the risk of breakouts? Sign me up.
-
Princess Kate and Duchess Sophie's Relationship Is "One of the Most Important Partnerships"The royal duo has formed "an unbreakable bond" over the years.
-
The 2025 LVMH Prize Semifinalists Suggest Inclusive Design Is Worth the InvestmentThe 2025 LVMH Prize Semifinalists are a sign of fashion's forward-thinking future.
-
Designer Ashlynn Park Learned From Fashion Legends—Now, She's Forging Her Own LegacyWith mentors like Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto, Park has become an expert at creating beautiful shapes from scratch.
-
Truman Capote Had His Swans—Now Christopher John Rogers Has His SquirrelsAs the designer prepares for his much-anticipated runway show at New York Fashion Week, we tap into the vibrant cult following that fuels his rainbow-colored world.
-
Dua Lipa's Rumored Engagement Ring From Callum Turner Is on Full Display in Her Latest SelfieThe singer gave fans a closer look at the huge diamond ring, which is allegedly worth $30,000.
-
Copenhagen Fashion Week's Best Fall 2025 Collections Say Sustainable Design Isn't a CompromiseCopenhagen Fashion Week's Fall 2025 runways reminded guests that eco-conscious design can also be fun.
-
Where Did All the Size-Inclusive Fashion Go?Spring 2025's runways glorified thinness to a troubling degree.
-
New York Fashion Week's Best Spring 2025 Looks Redefine Real ClothesKallmeyer, Rachel Comey, and Maria McManus define a new kind of everyday aspiration.
-
What Does Toteme Clothing Have That Other Minimalist Brands Don't?The label positively took over New York Fashion Week.
