A while back I met up with a very interesting creative – Thando Simelane who pushes a hustle called We3d Movement & through the movement he creates UBUCWEBE pieces – jewelry made out of rather interesting material, after a few months I finally managed to get him to talk to the Fashion Crumbz Publication about his dope art creations. He tells us more below. 

#Ubucwebe are alternative accessories by @We3d_Movement, most of the pieces are made from recycled material, buttons from old clothes, broken pieces from jewelry, the material we mostly buy & it’s identity material cross connection wires which support the base of most pieces. Products from these are Ubucwebe rings, bracelets, earrings & necklaces. Our pieces know no limits, they are very African inspired & daring.

Now you may be asking yourself how this all started, well when I was in the Vaal, doing my matric, I started collecting buttons for no reason at all, the commune I lived at had a landline box outside, where every time the landline box was repaired – cross connection wires would be cut & left there and I would take the wires & play with them. One day I pulled out my buttons from the collection I had made of buttons, then I created a ring using the wires & buttons and that’s how Ubucwebe came to life.

Apart from making Jewelry, I also have a street-wear pop up store called “Pop Wardrobe” , more details on this will follow soon.

You can find Us on Instagram : @We3d_Movement

@cteedopeboy_mahlakola

Photography Credits : @Ofentsephotographize

Now guys I’ve personally gotten myself some of these pieces & what I admire about Thando’s work is the originality, quality & safety, my favorite is the necklace, it reminds me a bit of my Xhosa culture, the cross-wires used have interesting patterns & I would definitely recommend that my readers get these affordable proudly South African pieces.

Thank You to We3d Movement for the interview

Author: Namhla Lebona