Guaranteed to make a statement, every piece is a love letter to the designer’s heritage—and a spectacular addition to anyone’s closet.
In our Featured Shop series, we shine a light on a standout shop from Etsy’s talented seller community, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and story. This Black History Month, it's all about the artisanal jewelry from Atiwo Designs.
When it comes to pinpointing the exact moment she was first inspired to create jewelry, Dorianne Attiogbé can trace it back to the early days of her childhood. Born and raised in Paris, France, to a Beninese mother and Togolese father, Dorianne remembers being gifted brilliantly colored beads from West Africa by her family. "I started crafting and designing pendants, rings, and earrings, and realized the cultural significance of my creations," she shared. "Beads in African culture symbolize femininity, fertility, strength, and beauty, and were [historically] seen as prized treasures used in trade." And it's this rich culture that Dorianne has carried from her beloved childhood hobby to what is now a successful jewelry business—Atiwo Designs—and one we're proud to highlight as part of our celebration of Black History Month.
Now settled in Seattle, Washington, after immigrating to the US from France in 2014, Dorianne created Atiwo Designs after she started receiving compliments on her pieces. Fast-forward to today, and she has produced 20 collections, sold over 1,000 pieces, and has been featured in 15 local markets. But while Dorianne's business continues to grow, she still ensures each piece is beautifully crafted with the same influences that first inspired her as a child. "[My] African background serves as a catalyst for my creativity," she said. "The creation of my own brand has been a therapeutic journey, providing healing I didn't realize I needed. [It's] helped me embrace the complexity of my identity as [someone who was] French-born, raised African, and who immigrated to the United States." Read on to see what else makes Atiwo Designs so special, and to explore Dorianne's stunning jewelry.
SHOP: Nana stud earrings from Atiwo Designs, $42
SHOP: Jadeite stud earrings from Atiwo Designs, $76
Photo by: Micaela Sling
SHOP: Africa pendant necklace from Atiwo Designs, from $46
SHOP: Ami stud earrings from Atiwo Designs, $30
Why Atiwo Designs should be on your radar: The amount of thought Dorianne puts into her business is truly unmatched, and can be seen in every detail right down to the names of her pieces. "Integrating my heritage through my ancestral Indigenous language has been my way of sharing my culture with customers," she explained. "Many of the pieces bear Ghanaian and Togolese women's names, like Efia, Afi, and Esi, serving as a nod to my roots."
What's more, the name Atiwo Designs was inspired by her own surname, Attiogbé. "It's linguistic origin [is] in the Mina language from Togo, West Africa. In this context, 'Atiwo' translates to 'trees,' and 'gbé' translates to 'refuse.' Combined, it means 'the trees refused.' Atiwo, representing trees, is the official name and symbol of my brand. This decision is rooted in the cultural significance of trees to my ancestral heritage. Just as roots keep trees grounded, my cultural roots anchor me in my identity and African heritage."
The best investment pieces for your wardrobe: One of Dorianne's most beloved designs is her crispy leaf earrings, which were inspired by vivid dreams she had of colorful fall leaves. "They're delicate, feminine, and incredibly enjoyable to make," she shared. Another collection that makes great gifts are her beaded bracelets. "With a minimal, classic design, these bracelets offer a subtle nod to African culture," she added. "They are versatile, adding a touch of sophistication to any casual look." We couldn't agree more!
SHOP: Crystal leaf clay earrings from Atiwo Designs, $60
SHOP: Uloma dangle earrings from Atiwo Designs, $56
Photo by: Josiane Faubert
SHOP: Oni dangle earrings from Atiwo Designs, $46
SHOP: Heishi beaded bracelet from Atiwo Designs, from $20
SHOP: Akua stud earrings from Atiwo Designs, $40
In their own words: "During [Black History Month], we celebrate the rich culture and history of the African diaspora and our contributions to society. As an immigrant to the US, I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase my work during this month, recognizing that Black History Month was inspired by the activism of Black Americans. Their sacrifice and advocacy have paved the way for me to share my story and, hopefully, inspire the next generation of Black creators like myself."
SHOP: Crispy leaf earrings from Atiwo Designs, $60
SHOP: African recycled glass beaded bracelet from Atiwo Designs, from $30
SHOP: MILA dangle earrings from Atiwo Designs, $44
Follow Atiwo Designs on Instagram and Facebook.
Lifestyle photos by Sarah Wolfe unless otherwise noted. Product photography courtesy of Atiwo Designs.
