My Voyage and Return: A Story of Learning Oneself
I was once told that building a company was as much as an entrepreneurial journey as a personal growth one.
How it all started
Every story has a journey. Mine begins in Paris.
I was born and raised in the City of Lights by a single African mother who worked tirelessly as a seamstress. Our home was overflowing with fabrics, patterns, and fashion magazines. I grew up watching her draw, cut, and sew through long nights—creating garments for big French designers while remaining unseen behind the scenes.
From her, I learned two things. First, deep respect for the “little hands” who build the fashion world in silence. Second, a quiet desire to follow the same path. I spent hours drawing, perfecting my sketches, and entering contests with my twin brother. But my mother had different dreams for me. She wanted me to choose stability, to use the education she never had.
So, I did.
The Voyage
I earned a Master’s degree in Communications for the Creative Industries—trying to stay close to art while respecting her wishes. After a short time in the music world, I shifted paths again and pursued an MBA. Stability became the goal.
Then came the unexpected twist.
One day, an email arrived inviting me to join a tech training program. I said yes, without knowing it would lead me to Norway—a country that would change everything.
Like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, I entered a new world.
The landscapes, the light, the silence—it all felt magical to someone who grew up surrounded by concrete. I stayed.
In Norway, I discovered what Scandinavian design truly means. Not a global trend, but a philosophy. Minimalism as a way of life. Simplicity, balance, and function woven into everything.
After ten years in tech—leading international projects, managing teams, and building systems—I hit a wall. Burnout forced me to stop. For the first time in years, I had nothing to manage except myself.
That pause became the turning point.
The Return Home
From that silence, Oriaku was born.
This brand is a return to my creative roots, shaped by every chapter of my journey. From my mother’s sewing machine to corporate boardrooms, from the streets of Paris to the fjords of Norway—every step prepared me to create a brand that merges both worlds.
Oriaku is the embodiment of duality: African craftsmanship and Scandinavian minimalism.
It stands for heritage, discipline, and quiet abundance.
The collaboration
Abdou is an artist jeweler based in Dakar, Senegal. He was born in a family of craftsmen, and quickly learnt the ins-and-out of the profession.
He responded positively to my call, and we immediately started working on a few pieces together.
My Story is My Strength
I carry the precision of a business leader and the heart of an artist. That is why I built Oriaku Studio—to honor the hands that make beauty and to redefine what wealth truly means.
Together, we are building a community, a strong Tribe. I
am so grateful for each and every one of you believing in this vision.
Stick around! More magic is on the way.
With love,
Celia
THREE MAIN PILLARS
Blog posts
Why Handmade Matters
Handmade matters because a human hand shapes more than metal. It shapes meaning. In Abdou’s workshop in Dakar, focus guides every movement. He guards his attention. A moment of distraction can injure him, so presence becomes part of the craft. His discipline shows why handmade is different. Each piece carries time, intention, and identity. It connects you to the person who made it and to the culture that formed the skill.
Cultural appropriation?
You don’t have to be African to wear African-inspired jewelry.
You just need to value beauty with meaning.
Why I created Glowing Jewels (Now ORIAKU)
Who said African craft could not be minimalist? Discover the story behind the creation of Glowing Jewels.
