Nishan Collective

by

Aklill Company

Nishan Collective is a curatorial platform for fine jewelries, ethical gems and decorative arts celebrating East African heritage and global craftsmanship. Through storytelling, exhibitions, ethical sourcing and collaborations, we empower women, honor culture, and inspire through handcrafted beauty.

About Nishan Collective

About Us

Nishan Collective, an initiative of Aklill Company, uplifts artisans across Africa and beyond. We connect designers, smiths, polishers, curators, and storytellers to create fine jewelry, décor, and sculpture rooted in heritage and purpose. Working across disciplines, we embrace sustainability, community empowerment, and storytelling to spark transformation through beauty.

Meet Our Founder: Yididiya Damtew

Hi, I’m Yididiya Damtew, founder of Nishan Collective — a curatorial platform created to spotlight Africa’s beauty and brilliance through exhibitions, collaborations, and responsible sourcing. We focus on overlooked sectors and use design as a tool for dialogue, empowerment, and cultural expression.

“Nishan” means symbol, mark, and award — perfectly reflecting our mission to elevate handcrafted pieces that carry heritage and intent.

Our first collection explores Ethiopia’s gemstone sector through craftsmanship inspired by Ethiopian culture and Italian craft traditions — a bridge between two worlds. We work hand-in-hand with African artisans and global makers across discipline to bring symbolic stories to life.

Whether you’re an artist, brand, institution, school, or collector — join us in building a future crafted by creativity, culture, and collaboration.

EXHIBITIONS

Fairytale Love – The Yekit Collection

Our debut exhibition honors love, legacy, and the feminine spirit. Inspired by ‘Yekit,’ an Ethiopian tradition of saving for a loved one, it explores softness, strength, and romantic nostalgia through art.

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

Empowerment Through Craft

ETHICAL SOURCING

We work closely with artisanal miners, polishers, and designers to ensure a transparent, ethical, and empowering supply chain—especially for gemstones and minerals. Our sourcing principles:

Ready to Collaborate?

OUR SERVICES — LET’S COLLABORATE

01

Curated Exhibitions & Brand Showcasing

We curate and consult on exhibitions that spotlight artisan talent and brand stories. Let’s collaborate to inspire through art.

02

Art & Custom Sourcing

We source and curate distinctive decorative art for homes, galleries, and commercial spaces—offering custom pieces that add story, depth, and beauty. Contact us to bring your vision to life.

03

Workshops for Empowerment

We offer skill-building workshops to empower women and communities. Partner with us to foster economic independence and create lasting impact.

04

Ethical Gemstone Sourcing

We support international brands entering emerging markets with ethical sourcing, market linkage, and collaborations rooted in sustainability.

Contact Us