AAKS for Courvoisier x Yinka Ilori: We Found Joy

We are so proud to have been a part of yet another dynamic collaborative project, this time between AAKS, Designers Consociate, and Amuwa Consulting. Earlier this year, we were commissioned by Designers Consociate to create a custom-made basket exclusively for Courvoisier x Yinka Ilori, the British artist and designer known for his bold use of bright colours and playful designs for furniture and public spaces. For the collaboration, titled We Found Joy, Yinka was inspired by the bees, flowers, and flowing river in Jarnac, France, plus the beauty of the world we live in. Being inspired by nature and vibrant colours too, it only made sense to bring AAKS on board.

In beautiful hues of red and rhodamine pink, each basket was hand-dyed and handwoven using locally sourced straw fibres by our master artisans in Ghana, then detailed with an embossed, black leather label. We shipped these beautiful baskets to the USA and UK for simultaneous launch events. ⁠Only 1,000 special-edition Courvoisier VSOP bottles were made, tying into our belief in small-batch craftsmanship, and yet another reason why this was a dream project.

It has also been special to work together with Designers Consociate, founded and directed by Zara Odu, whose brand values we stand strongly behind. Their mission is to develop, nurture, and promote unique artisans, indigenous techniques, raw materials, and consciously designed brands in Africa, all with the aim of enhancing local economies in smaller communities.

We’re smiling to have played a role in this transformative project.