Pan After x Alice Oehr for Wola Nani, South Africa

Established 25 years ago, Wola Nani’s mission is to improve the wellbeing of communities and people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The craft project emerged in response to the unemployment of HIV positive women, this income generation programme has allowed crafters for over 20 years to earn a sustainable weekly income. Income earned by crafters has allowed them to provide shelter, food, clothing and education for their children. The programme strives to ensure these crafters have a safe working place, a sustainable future and are empowered to take greater control of their own lives and live with hope.

We worked closely with Melbourne Illustrator Alice Oehr to design a collection of patterns inspired by our love for colour, textiles, travel and all things hand-made. The visual system of patterns are unique, bold and conceptual; clashing colour and geometric motifs were carefully considered to create a range that works equally well individually or in any combination. A narrative of patterns that speak to one another have been created into objects that have a story and high-light the beauty of imperfection.  

Each piece in the collection is carefully and skilfully made by hand with layers and layers of paper by women at Wola Nani. Available in 4 varying sizes of bowls, a cylindric bin and a large platter-style tray, each one useful and sculptural in their form. 

The purchase of every product in the range directly supports the lives of these talented crafters. Pan After is committed to fair-trade practice and supporting the work of such projects - shop the collection. 

“AIDS today in Africa is claiming more lives than the sum total of all wars, famines, floods and ravages of diseases such as malaria. It is devastating families and communities, depleting health care resources and robbing schools of both students and teachers.”

~ Nelson Mandela ~