Nkuku was founded after a year travelling and working in Africa and India, meeting artisans, and witnessing their astounding skills but challenging living standards and restricted opportunities. Our objective became to promote and develop the traditional skills of these artisans and bring their work to the UK market through wholesale and retail channels. Whilst promoting fair trade and establishing a business that could provide a lifestyle change for our family and an income for ourselves. Nkuku is socially responsible and is built on the principles of fair trade and equal opportunity.

Fair Trade

We support fair trade and local community initiatives. This means that our suppliers are paid a decent wage for their work; working conditions are safe and a good standard; no children are exploited. All our products are skilfully created in a positive and pleasant environment.

We ensure compliance with this code of conduct by making regular visits to our suppliers. We also maintain a close and personal relationship with the artisans themselves, and know that they are very proud of their work and their workforce.

Nkuku is a registered member of BAFTS (The British Association for Fair Trade Shops).

Environment (Eco-Friendly / Recycled)

We are an environmentally aware company. We endeavour to create products using recycled and natural materials through a hand made process. We consider the environment in everything we do and it has a large impact on the products that we sell. This being said we are under no illusions and are aware that to truly help the environment it is better to reuse things, not waste things and not buy gifts that you don’t really need! Not very good for business! On the positive side, if you are buying a gift then at the very least Nkuku offers a product that has considered the environment. We hope that the items you do purchase will be kept for a lifetime, perhaps storing priceless memories in one of our albums and passing them on to the next generation.

Nkuku work with a number of recycled materials:

Cotton Paper
Our photograph albums and journals are handmade from cotton paper. Created from pieces of recycled cotton, this ancient paper making skill has been passed on from generation to generation. The cotton is not grown specifically for papermaking; instead, we collect the cotton left over from the clothing industry. It would otherwise go to waste. The paper is perfect for photograph albums and journals and it is great to think that each sheet has been made by hand.

Saris

We use recycled traditional heavy saris; some up to 25 years old to make our heavy sari range. The sari’s come in assortment of rich colours made from luxurious silk threads. This ensures that each album and journal is always unique.

Frames
Our photo frames are, where possible made from natural and recycled materials. Many of our frames are made from recycled aluminium and other light metals, the bone we use is a by product; the natural materials we use are taken through the correct channels and hold all the appropriate certifications; our Sheesham wood is taken from sustainable forests.