In the ancient world the cowrie shell was a popular form of currency. The tiny mollusk was a significant feature along the African, Arab and Asian trade routes.

According to some African mythologies, the cowrie shell is a symbol of wealth, prosperity and fertility. And that’s exactly what it brought to Ivorian designer Lafalaise Dion.

For Dion, cowrie shells represent the African story. “It is the legacy left by my ancestors. It is a way for me to reconcile myself with the African spirituality, to show the world the richness and uniqueness of my culture,” says Dion. 

About this piece: The Queen of Cowries Version 1

The first piece of the collection

• Material: Pearls, Cowries, Nylon
• One size fits all
• Handmade and hand-stitched in Ivory Coat