Makila Nsika
Makila Nsika is a jewellery designer deeply connected to the artistic traditions of the Republic of Congo. With a Master’s in French Literature from Sorbonne and an MA in Design from Central Saint Martins, she explores the intersection of storytelling, material innovation, and contemporary luxury. In 2020, she founded M.Kala, reinterpreting Congolese craftsmanship through modern design. Her work has been multi-awarded. Through M.Kala, Makila Nsika’s research-driven practice explores the convergence of traditional and modern techniques with contemporary aesthetics, contributing to the broader discourse on craft preservation.
Makila Nsika founded M.Kala with a vision to create meaningful jewellery that honours the land of her childhood and the people who preserve its stories. Her work is rooted in the belief that true beauty emerges from unexpected places and should reflect a commitment to sustainability, heritage, and innovation.
Her pieces are tactile and timeless, crafted from materials that resonate with contemporary narratives and dreams of positive change. Her designs are inspired by the organic textures and cultural significance of these materials, transforming them into wearable symbols of history and transformation.
A central material in Makila Nsika’s work is the palm nut, an often-overlooked element of global industry. In the Republic of Congo, her birth’s place, its kernel is a food waste. Her collection, Palms, reintroduces this material as a valuable creative medium, celebrating its dark, woody beauty alongside recycled precious metals.
Each piece in Palms merges artisanship and technology, blending symbols from the ancient Kongo kingdoms with modern design sensibilities. Through her practice, and as a local collaborator working to upskill members of her Congo community, Makila is committed to building a long term, globally aligned, jewellery vision.
Project Gallery
