Ngala Trading Co. Partners with South African-based Lighting Company

The initial offering of Clarisse Design lighting includes two popular styles, depicting sculptural sub-tropical foliage: Delicious and Blade lights. The Delicious pendant, offered in seven colors, features a large-scale collection of five leather Philodendron Monstera (Delicious Monster) leaves backed with stainless steel. The Blade pendant offers a slender alternative, made of vibrant colored leather, accented with brass or stainless-steel closures. The Blade pendant is available in three sizes and seven colors, featuring pierced or unpierced leather options.

“When I saw these pendants in South Africa, I knew immediately we needed to track down the maker and introduce them in America,” says Lawson Ricketts, creative director and co-founder of Ngala Trading Co. “Xavier Clarisse’s work has a theme of theatricality of the object itself – it’s interactive, full of movement and playfulness. It adds a wonderful new feeling to our offerings.”

Founded by Xavier Clarisse, Clarisse Design aligns with Ngala Trading Co.’s mission to bring a story of curated, handmade, luxury South African design to the North American marketplace. Living in South Africa, Xavier is inspired by his local surroundings of both nature and the local aesthetic. The abundant subtropical vegetation, vibrant color and diversity of Durban is reflected in many of his designs.

“I try to translate my point of view in a simple and honest way with product design,” says Xavier Clarisse, founder of Clarisse Design. “My work intersects art and design, and the concepts are infused with meaningful layers. Having lived in Africa for fifteen years, I wish to portray the real essence of my adopted home, free from idealizations and stereotypes.”

To view the new product in person, Clarisse Design lighting is on display at Ngala Trading Co.’s flagship showroom in the New York Design Center, Suite 412. For more information, contact the showroom or visit NgalaTrading.com.