Matturi x Elizabeth Stewart x Viola Davis
The third campaign from RAD x De Beers Group’s BLACK IS BRILLIANT features Satta Matturi, a British designer with West African heritage, whose designs for MATTURI are deeply inspired by Africa — its art, history, design and culture.
The legendary ELIZABETH STEWART collaborated with SATTA MATTURI to design the KWE EARRINGS, featuring ethically and sustainably sourced natural diamonds from Botswana, for VIOLA DAVIS to wear to the World Premiere of Showtime’s “THE FIRST LADY” on April 14th in Los Angeles.
Satta’s Inspiration for these magnificent earrings were the KWE people.
“Said to be the oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, the San, also known as Bushmen or Kwe are a diverse group of peoples who historically lived through a hunter gatherer lifestyle. Their traditions, dance and distinct rock art depict and interpret their views and beliefs regarding landscapes, flora, fauna and living within a sustainable ecosystem, which have been passed through the generations. Contemporary San artists continue to draw on these same ancestral beliefs and traditions using bold interpretations and vibrant colors.
The Kwe Earrings are a tribute to a people who continue to live selflessly with nature. The design in particular picks on the beautiful landscapes of Botswana, a country that is blessed not just with diamonds but with the natural beauty of the delta, rivers and an abundance of wildlife. Forty natural diamonds, created deep under Botswana’s soil millions of years ago were selected by De Beers Group for their unique attributes which were cut and polished in Gaborone by Batswana artisans. Surrounding and connecting the natural diamonds, 18kt gold has been left unpolished to achieve a raw yet contemporary, natural look and feel.
EVERY ASPECT OF THESE EARRINGS AND DESIGN PAYS HOMAGE TO A COUNTRY, ITS PEOPLE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND ASTONISHING ECO SYSTEM.” - Satta Matturi, Founder & Creative Lead, Matturi
Watch Matturi x Elizabeth Stewart’s collaboration
“An added excitement for me was the fact that all the diamonds were mined and cut at source. I'm passionate about citizen partnership and it was inspiring to visit the cutting facility in Gaborone and meet with the team that was responsible for the diamonds used in the designs.” - Satta
Watch Satta Matturi discuss how her rich heritage influences her unique designs…
In a RAD New World, FASHION + PURPOSE create outstanding beauty and IMPACT for others. To further that impact, we asked each of our talent partners to also select non-profit organization(s) that empower Black excellence to benefit from donations made by De Beers Group. Elizabeth and Viola, much like De Beers Group, are passionate about supporting hometown organizations, social justice and the empowerment of children to express themselves through creativity. Viola chose Adams Library in Central Falls, Brooklyn Theater, EJI’s Legacy Museum, Southern Poverty Law and St. Labre Indian School to benefit from the generous donations by De Beers Group
ADAMS LIBRARY, CENTRAL FALLS is an historical public library located in Viola’s hometown of Central Falls, Rhode Island. The library relies on community support in order to provide resources for adults, teens and young children.
BROOKLYN CHILDREN’S THEATRE brings together children from diverse backgrounds to learn and grow through the collaborative art and community of musical theatre.
THE LEGACY MUSEUM / EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE provides a comprehensive history of the United States, including the legacy of slavery. The Museum presents a unique opportunity for visitors to create new spaces, markers, and memorials that address the legacy of slavery, lynching, and racial segregation.
SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people.
ST. LABRE INDIAN SCHOOL was founded in 1884 to support Indigenous communities through education. The school educates children from the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian reservations in Ashland, Montana.
We thank Satta, Elizabeth and Viola for being RAD with us and we invite you to join us in supporting Matturi, buying jewelry that features ethically and sustainably sourced diamonds from African nations including Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.