Homewares wholesaler Zakkia launched its second collection at Life Instyle Sydney in February and picked up the GALA Home award for its concrete Dala horse.
Swedish-born Sara Lundgren began Zakkia—named after her Egyptian paternal grandmother—as an online store selling cabinet knobs and handles before releasing her first homewares collection in August last year.
Lundgren had previously worked in corporate marketing and at a digital agency, where she dealt with a lot of small ecommerce businesses. “This was very inspiring and definitely where the idea to create Zakkia was born,” she says. “I’ve always had a strong interest for interior design and home décor, but had no professional experience in this industry before Zakkia.”
The brand’s latest collection includes clay pots and vases, a range of lacquerware and storage paper baskets, all with Zakkia’s signature ‘Scandinavia meets Bondi’ aesthetic. “The new collection received amazing feedback from retailers, which was a big relief as this is only the second collection we have created, and the first was so popular it was a bit daunting to follow up with a second collection after that,” says Lundgren.
Natural shapes and textures feature in Zakkia’s products, and Lundgren takes inspiration from many places. “I try not to ‘overdo’ our designs, but to let the materials and textures be the focal point,” she says.
“It is a very exciting process to see the products come alive. The highlight is definitely when we launch a new range; just seeing a collection you have been working on for a long time complete is a great feeling.”
The products are made in small family-owned factories in Vietnam and India, and Lundgren says sourcing manufacturers was one of the challenges of setting up the business. “We are really picky in who we work with to make our products so a lot of time and effort went into finding the right manufacturers,” she says.
The Vietnamese factory that is responsible for Zakkia’s pottery products is an integral part of the business, and after designing the products from her Sydney base Lundgren travels to the factory to work out the best method for making the products. “I love working with them because over time we have become really close and they have definitely helped shape the brand… Most of our products are handmade, which adds to the character.”
Winning the GALA Home category was a great feeling, says Lungden. “It’s just nice to get confirmation that you are on the right track and to have all your hard work recognised with an award is amazing. It really has been a great year for us.”
Lundgren is now focused on the future, and is currently working on Zakkia’s next collection that will be launched in August, as well as looking at expanding into the international market.
