Tensira’s story begins in the Republic of Guinea, in the village after which the brand is named. Here, the community’s artisans have been honing their renowned indigo-dying and weaving expertise for centuries, a skill passed down through generations. It’s also where you’ll meet the women-led team behind their exquisitely crafted cushions.
The Tensira story – A chance encounter in 2010 inspired Hamidou Diallo and Tullia Diallo to combine their unique Guinean and Finnish heritages into one very unique collaboration. Inspired by Hamidou’s mother – an indigo dye artist of more than 40 years – the duo wanted to create a collection of sustainably made soft furnishings whilst providing opportunities for West African artisans. Merging traditional African craftsmanship and modern Nordic minimalism, the team produce 100% cotton fabrics, spun, woven and dyed at their workshops in the Republic of Guinea.
The Craftsmanship – Honouring his roots and wanting to create sustainable jobs for the Guinean community, Hamidou established Tensira’s workshop in his home country. It’s here that Tensira threads, weaves, dyes and sews its timeless designs in cotton, thanks to the local community who have honed and preserved their skills. The majority of Tensira's tailoring and dying team members are women. Tensira also collaborates with dozens of groups of artisans throughout Guinea, empowering the women to support their families with a regular income.
Pairing up perfectly with our traditional cane chairs, these Tensira designs will lend laidback elegance to any space. The hand-spun, hand-woven and hand-dyed cotton covers are filled to create a soft long-lunch-worthy cushioning, ideal for a summer of lounging.
