Jambo is the vase collection by Serena Confalonieri, designed for the exhibition "Can you Imagine?" curated by Federica Sala for Secondome Gallery during Milan Design Week. The project, whose name means "hello" in Swahili, is deeply rooted in the heart of Africa, blending artisanal traditions with sustainable innovation.
Jambo, which means "hello" in Swahili, is the vase collection by Serena Confalonieri that finds its roots in the heart of Africa, blending traditional craftsmanship with sustainable innovation. The project was born from the designer's encounter with Ocean Sole, a Kenyan social enterprise that transforms flip-flops washed ashore by the ocean into reusable materials, providing employment opportunities for local artisans. The rubber pieces from the collected sandals are assembled into multicolored blocks, then sanded down to achieve a soft, textured finish that surprises to the touch.
© Secondome
The regenerated rubber, used by the organization as a base for projects and sculptures, serves as the starting point for Serena Confalonieri's collection, which consists of three vase models available in different colors and decorative variations. Their primordial, organic shapes are enhanced by a vibrant, saturated palette and the addition of ornamental raffia and cotton rope inserts.
"The vases' lines are intentionally pure and free from excessive details, highlighting the uniqueness of the texture," says the designer. "The color palette choice also reflects this philosophy, allowing artisans creative freedom as they use random hues depending on the availability of recycled materials. To further enrich the vases, delicate raffia and cotton rope decorations accentuate their shapes and evoke the origins of this collection."
Handcrafted in Kenya by Ocean Sole artisans, the Jambo collection looks toward a world where objects are made from innovative, sustainable materials that can replace conventional ones, seamlessly merging design, sustainability, and social impact.
© Secondome
More information:
Serena Confalonieri
www.serenaconfalonieri.com