Meet Us

The Ndau Collection is a collective of designers in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, brought together by a love of African culture, history and design. We specialise in the creation of unique jewellery, accessories and one of a kind collectibles, all made by highly skilled artisans.



The Ndau Collection was formed in 1998 by current owner Gail van Jaarsveldt and Gill Athestone, as a result of their passion for African beadwork. Gill subsequently moved back to Harare and Gail was joined by her daughter Christie Halsted as co-owner of the company. Together they have grown the Ndau Collection and pieces from the collection have found their way to all corners of the globe and gained international recognition.



Each of our sterling silver beads and fittings is made using the centuries old African lost-wax casting technique and is handmade from beginning to end. This results in a beautifully soft, curvaceous finish to our metal work that gives it the feel of the history it represents. We combine these cast pieces with our extensive collection of antique African trade beads, precious and semi-precious stones, natural materials, exotic leathers and treasures we find in our travels, to create our one of a kind jewellery, accessories and collectibles.



Every piece takes several weeks to create and is hand worked throughout. Each of our pieces is either unique, a bespoke creation or part of a limited edition run of specially selected castings. We believe strongly in promoting local talent and work with local carvers, wire workers, mosaic and fine pencil artists. These artists are supported, mentored and promoted through The Ndau Collection under The Ruoko Project.



AWARDS
Emerging Accessories Designers 2013 - MAGIC, Las Vegas
Accessories Designers of the Year 2013 - Zimbabwe Fashion Week
Accessories Designers of the Year 2014 - Zimbabwe Fashion Week
Finalists for Accessories Designers of the Year 2014 - Africa Fashion Awards



GAIL VAN JAARSVELDT



Gail van Jaarsveldt is the founder of the company and co-owner with her daughter Christie Halsted. Whilst never formally trained, Gail has an innate sense of design and an uncanny eye for what works – she describes herself as an ‘ideas person’. She is Zimbabwean born and has worked in Victoria Falls most of her life, where she has played a major role in the town’s development. A passionate supporter of local design and culture Gail has amassed a museum’s worth of local art and craft.



She combines her extensive knowledge of the leather and retail industry with Ndau's product to create amazing pieces. Gail says she is happiest in her new role as grandmother to Blayke, Maya, Emil and Quinn! Her latest collection, African Renaissance, created from rare African Trade beads, gold dusted vermeil and African brass beads is a sell-out success.




JOE MUTOKO



Joe Mutoko is The Ndau Collection’s head silversmith and stone-cutter and has been with The Ndau Collection since it began. As a descendent of the Ndau tribe, renowned for their high artistic skills and rich culture, he suggested the name ‘Ndau’ as he felt this to be the perfect name for the company’s unique creations.



Joe is a third generation traditional jeweller, with both his grandfather and his uncle having created traditional Shona beads. He has followed in their footsteps and loves to work with the beautiful precious and semi-precious stones found locally when creating, along with his other favourite material buffalo horn.



He is passionate about conserving local wildlife and spends most weekends in the bushveldt with a fishing rod. His technical and design knowledge is an invaluable asset and he heads up the production team that brings the Ndau designs to life. Joe has been solo designing since 2011 and brings a clean, elegant style to every piece he creates. His distinctive style has helped to shape the Ndau Collection’s brand.



We are very proud to have recently welcomed Joe's son into our Ndau family as a trainee.




CHRISTIE HALSTED (SABAG)



Christie is Gail’s eldest daughter and co-owner of The Ndau Collection. She has a passion for design and an obsession with perfection that has led to her excelling in her career. She began learning ceramic sculpture from her aunt, Fee Halsted (Ardmore Ceramics) she then studied at Ruth Prowse Art College in Cape Town, where she realised formal art education wasn’t for her. She moved into the world of eventing, where she worked with a large number of international corporations.



Christie has emerged as a talented jewellery designer who pushes the limits of design and constantly moves Ndau into new fields. She first introduced the combination of croc skin with sterling silver that has become so synonymous with Ndau’s brand. She is currently on sabbatical, creating a spectacular lodge on her and her husband's private island.