The People Behind Aardvark: A Journey of Serendipity.

Each artisan at Aardvark Studios found their way to us in their own serendipitous way. From chance meetings to unexpected opportunities, these journeys reflect the magic that makes our studio truly special.

Meet Hlezipi (Zipi) and Seikanyeng (Cee), our supreme sewing team and fabric artists, whose skilled hands carefully craft every item with love and expertise. Zipi joined the studio in 2021 with 30 years’ worth of experience in sewing. Despite her extensive experience, she was selling ice lollies on the streets of Maun to make ends meet. That’s when Lien met her, when she stopped to buy a lolly from Zipi and started talking. Zipi promised that her hands “can’t make anything that’s not beautiful” and the rest is history, as she stays true to her promise every day. Her knowledge about sewing and fabrics will fill a library. Kind and careful Cee, is as reliable as the African sun, and shines with a light just as bright. Cee joined the studio in 2023 as a highly skilled seamstress – who happens to be excellent at not only sewing, but also the creation of 3D fabric artworks and patterns!

Next, Aardvark wants to introduce you to Letso, Phenyo, and Gorata – our extraordinary textile printing team responsible for our bespoke fabric designs inspired by nature. Letso, our main textile printer, has a unique background in the Museum fabrication industry, paper making, box framing, and carpentry (to mention a few of his many skills). This kind and friendly gentleman easily mastered the art of lino printing. A well-respected and multi-talented local Maun artist in his own right – Aardvark Studios is lucky to have him as a resident artisan (and self-appointed HR manager). Phenyo, our lino artist, walked into our small, hot, outdoor container workshop in 2021… looking for a job as an artist! And at the perfect time, because Aardvark was looking for just that. Today, Phenyo is an integral concept designer and print-artist, with an instinctive understanding of organic patterns that mimic nature, and has perfected the art of hand carving the most intricate lino stamps. And Gorata, our production assistant, Aardvark Studios’ youngest recruit, she recently completed her sewing certificate in Clothing Design and Textiles at YWCA in Maun, and joined us in 2023. Her hands were ready for anything and she quickly became lovingly known as the “iron lady”! Her keen interest in learning new things has immersed her in the workshop world, where every day we discover new skills for her to explore. 

These stories aren’t just about joining a team; they’re about aligning with a shared purpose—bringing vibrant ideas to life and creating spaces that inspire. Our team’s collective vision is simple yet profound: to take your world from drab to fab. It’s this shared passion that drives every stitch, pattern, and detail in our work. Together, we create products that tell a story, honour tradition, and embrace innovation. Explore our full range of bespoke products and services on the Aardvark Studios website. Let us help you transform your spaces and elevate your lifestyle. Take the first step toward making your world truly fab!