Our Story
Our new retail store at the V&A Watershed is open! In 2024, under the leadership of our CEO, Vanessa Steyn, we proudly brought our signature Ashanti Design fabric back into production.
This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we build up a fresh range of fabric products that our Ashanti fans love and cherish across the world.
The opening of our new retail store at the V&A Waterfront, Watershed, now serves as the home for all our beloved fabric creations, allowing visitors to experience the vibrant energy of Ashanti firsthand.
2024
2024 was a year of transformation. Our founder, Rob Walker, passed the torch to Vanessa Steyn as CEO, alongside Rob Burton as Strategic Director.
With this new leadership, Ashanti Design is set to reach new creative heights.
2023
Looking back, 2023 was a pivotal year for us - it was the year our lampshade manufacturing truly saw the light!
With the development of our own in-house welding workshop, we pushed the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship.
Our talented weaving team elevated their skills, leading to the creation of massive, oversized, handwoven African-inspired lampshades that now illuminate Nando’s restaurants across the UK, Australia, and the USA.
Over 20 years
Ashanti Design has been on an incredible journey for over 20 years. From discovering our signature fabric in Madagascar in 2008 to opening our first retail store in 2010, we've continuously evolved.
We put our name on the door with the launch of our Kloof Street store and, in 2022, moved into a much larger facility in Paarden Eiland, allowing us to expand our weaving and welding skills.
The years 2022 and 2023 were game-changing, as we refined our techniques, introduced innovative new designs, and expanded our global reach.
We still can't believe that we get to create such special and unique pieces that find their homes in hotels, restaurants, lodges, and homes around the world.
We are endlessly grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey, supporting us through each phase of Ashanti’s evolution.