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Design: Otago Chandeliers Inspired by Dinka Corsets for Nandos Harrogate

Otago and The Light Corporation for Nandos

Maridadi Pendants for Nandos, Harrogate - Otago

[Image credit: Maridadi Pendants for Nandos, Harrogate – Otago ©David Lindsay]

The intricate corsets worn by the Dinka of South Sudan have been the inspiration for a bespoke range of lighting for a Nandos restaurant in Harrogate, UK. Worn by men, the bright colour coded Dinka corset indicates age, status and wealth within the community, whilst women wear a colourful beaded shawl type collar that also indicates age, status and wealth, read a previous feature I did on the corsets here. The lighting designs were based on the colour and the drape of the beaded strands, resulting in a collection of strikingly sophisticated yet fun lighting in keeping with Nandos’ quirky personality.

Maridadi Chandelier for Nandos, Harrogate - Otago

[Image credit: Maridadi Chandelier for Nandos, Harrogate – Otago ©David Lindsay]

The Maradadi Chandeliers were designed by UK-based interior accessories brand Otago (whom I have previously featured on the blog) in collaboration with The Light Corporation, one of the UK leading light manufacturers. The design and development process was carried out in two Kenyan workshops where they teamed up with local studio CREA Africa, and Zawadi Africa, an education fund that provides scholarships to academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Maridadi Pendants for Nandos, Harrogate - Otago
Maridadi Pendants for Nandos, Harrogate - Otago

[Image credits: Maridadi Pendants for Nandos, Harrogate – Otago ©David Lindsay]

A three-week design development and production process in Kenya saw Otago’s designers, Anna Rose and Eddie Sercombe working first with skilled roadside metal artisans, to create the metal frame bases that the beaded strands would then hang from. Each strand was then meticulously hand strung by a local women’s cooperative, who normally accustomed to creating beaded jewellery had the challenge of adapting their techniques to a more complex and large-scale design. Another design, the Maridadi pendants, saw thirteen smaller sized pendants comprising blocks of colourful beads and were beaded by three women from a family-run workshop.

Maridadi Pendants and Chandalier for Nandos, Harrogate - Otago

[Image credit: Maridadi Pendants and Chandelier for Nandos, Harrogate – Otago ©David Lindsay]

Nandos, a South African restaurant chain, is said to be one of the biggest investors in South African art, buying pieces to adorn the walls of every restaurant they open around the globe, and in the process giving South African artists a promotional platform.

Additional details:
For further information about Otago visit: www.otagodesign.com

[Image credits: All images were sourced from Otago ©David Lindsay. If downloaded and used elsewhere please credit accordingly.]

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