SISTER acts

These sets of siblings have made business a family affair and with considerable success. We find out how they make it work.

- CHARNDRÉ KIPPIE, CHRISTI NORTIE

Dynamic design duo

Viveka (above left) and Rucita (right) Vassen are a design duo with a background in fashion and graphic design. Apart from being in sync in almost everything they do and believe in, it's their shared love of creativity, craft, collaboration and an eye for all things bold, vibrant and off-beat that led them to establish Ananta Design Studio during lockdown 2020. They specialise in playful home decor pieces, from beaded vases and lamps to brightly decorated bedside tables and sideboards.

By working with local crafters, they're able to empower under-resourced communities and create pieces filled with beauty, meaning and social impact.

Here's how they do it:

Sisterhood is so special and different to other relationships.

We've grown up with the same values and have literally experienced everything together. We've moved through every stage of our lives side by side, supporting each other. It's always been us together on the ride... this is just the next one!

We've always been besties, which makes working together effortless and fun! We get excited about the same things, and to be able to share that together only amplifies the energy. We also understand and know each other so well that we can communicate with just a glance. When we both studied in the design fields, we knew that building a creative business together was inevitable. We are so excited to share the adventurous journey of our life dream, Ananta, with the world.

Being sisters makes our creative process interesting. We work on designs together, refining it until it's a beautiful piece of functional art filled with love and joy. Outside of the studio, we find ourselves constantly being inspired and then bringing this energy back into the studio. We shamelessly discuss work at all times of the day our creative brains never stop!