Changing Facets
Changing Facets is a South African contemporary accessory and wearable art brand that preserves and reimagines indigenous African knowledge systems. Founded in 2012 and rebranded in 2022, the brand creates culturally informed jewellery and accessories that function as living archives, where each piece tells a story of heritage, memory, identity and resilience. The practice blends traditional materials and techniques with contemporary design, prioritising cultural sustainability, environmental responsibility and ethical collaboration with artisans.
Features
Resources and materials
- Works with indigenous and contemporary materials, including wood, ostrich eggshell fragments, grass, beads, traditional fabrics, and repurposed or recycled metals
- Metals are primarily sourced from scraps of previous work or repurposed objects, ensuring sustainability and provenance
- Traditional fabrics (e.g., shweshwe) and beads purchased from long-standing local suppliers
- Accessories produced in small quantities or made-to-order to prevent overproduction
Making and manufacturing
- All products are designed and made by Dr Khanya Mthethwa
- Manufacturing focuses on handwork, natural and upcycled materials, and low-toxicity finishes
- Waste is minimised by repurposing leftover materials, upcycling discarded metals and wood, and reusing fragments from previous works
- Each design begins with existing materials
Social and cultural
- Supports skills development, knowledge transfer, and sustainable livelihoods
- Challenges Western design norms by centring indigenous knowledge in contemporary accessory design
Product and design
- Focus on symbolism, storytelling, and material authenticity
- Sturdy natural and recycled materials, strong joinery, and hand-finishing techniques ensure longevity
- Pieces are repairable, repurposable, or reworkable into new designs at end-of-use, keeping materials in circulation
Packaging and distribution
- Primary distribution through exhibitions, direct commissions, and social media
2025 Nominee: Accessory Award
Address
Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa