MAVAMBO Collective is a Portland-based luxe home décor studio that connects global artisans with discerning, conscious designers in the US. We take the pain out of sourcing exclusive, ethical and exceptional artisanal home décor that align with our buyers’ unique aesthetic preferences.
Mavambo's Origin Story
The name MAVAMBO is derived from the Shona word for ‘origins’. The idea of a conscious luxe homeware brand emerged from Wadzi’s travels across the globe as social innovation designer advancing economic inclusion for communities in emerging markets.
Describing the brand’s origins, Wadzi reminisces: “At one point, I spent each week in a different country. I loved travel for work and one of my traditions was purchasing one item from my home that reminded me of each country. Over time, I had curated a rug from Marrakesh, a Coptic Orthodox Christian cross from Ethiopia, a Bolga basket from Accra, Ghana and so on. Every country I visited had a collective of high-quality artisans who were crafting magnificent objects that very few people got to see. To top that of, I was living in one of Africa’s design capitals, Cape Town in South Africa”. Out of a desire to share these creations with a global audience, MAVAMBO Collective was born.
Interestingly, it was on one of these trips that she met her now husband, Elias Comfort. Their first date, in Portland, OR was on the last day of a 10-day trip just as Wadzi was heading back home to Cape Town.
Elias, a poet, actor and artist, is a beautiful soul with an innate eye for beauty. Making the choice to build a life with him was easy. Choosing to build MAVAMBO together is a no-brainer. His innate artistic flair and decades-long career in luxury merchandising informs his curation talents. A deeply empathetic, multi-hyphenate artist, he approaches curation and sales from a relational orientation, seeking to match clients with objects they will have a lifelong appreciation for.
MAVAMBO Collective meets an unanswered need for exclusive, one-of-a-kind homeware goods.
MAVAMBO’s mission is really simple. We know it can be really challenging for designers to find unique items for their projects in a world that is awash with run of the mill products. We exist curate and celebrate the craftsmanship of Southern African artisans who are putting out unique designs based on their contexts into the world.
MAVAMBO provides interior designers of discerning taste with luxury, ethically and sustainably sourced home goods from Global Artisans.
There has never been a time where sustainability is more urgent that now. Our antidote to conspicuous consumption and materialism is heirloom quality, ethically sourced homeware goods that you will cherish for life. We partner only with artisans who share the same values.
Connecting Visionary Interior Designers with Peerless Artisanal Creations
Designers work hard to hone their craft and build thoughtful, functional spaces. At MAVAMBO Collective, we match you artisans who are as serious about their craft as you are. The outcome: matchless pieces that will be conversational pieces and the pride of every home their placed in.
The MAVAMBO Collective promise: matchless, ethical, sustainable and durable.