About Us

About Us

Transforming lives through beauty. At Harkiss, we connect the rich artistry of East African artisans with your home, ensuring every handcrafted piece tells a story. Join us in making a difference—one stunning item at a time!

Founded in 2011 by CEO Harriet Zaffoni, a native Ugandan, Harkiss Designs works directly with 11 east African artisans who employ hundreds of craftsmen and women to translate designs into high end handcrafted one-of-a-kind items sold online and through various retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

Each item sold by Harkiss Designs is meticulously crafted in east Africa (Uganda & Kenya), by these talented men and women who support their families using the skills passed down from generation to generation.

Shop Local, Support Global

Born and raised in Uganda, Harriet saw first-hand the effects of poverty and the subordination of women. These experiences molded her into becoming the entrepreneurial humanitarian she is today. Every dollar spent at  Harkiss Designs supports Lend A Hand Uganda – USA (LAHU-USA), an organization focused on improving the lives of Ugandan children and their communities.   

Fairtrade-certified Products and Materials.

You can feel good about the Harkiss Designs products you purchase. Not only do we focus on truly advancing the lives of the artisans we employ but we only source sustainable materials—from fabric woven from the pulp of the kukui nut to locally sourced cow horn and other accouterments. We are Fairtrade-certified and committed to making a difference in our communities and the world. 

Let's work together. 

We would love to give you the opportunity to sell our unique items in your retail location or wholesale business. We work with small and large organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. While our pieces are one-of-a-kind, our growing and evolving business model now allows us to create 100 or more of any one item. Please reach out to us to discuss your needs and get approved to become a Harkiss Designs Wholesaler/Retailer. 

PHONE: 646-224-5906

EMAIL: hzaffoni@harkissdesigns.com



About Harriet Zaffoni, Founder & CEO

Harriet was destined to be a humanitarian, entrepreneur, and women’s advocate. Born and raised in east Africa where she saw the effects of poverty and the subordination of women, it was the strong guiding voice of her grandmother who raised her to be an independent light who works hard for herself and others. As Harriet’s desire to make a difference in the world grew, she traveled to England to further her education and then to New York City, where she lives today. But it was always the beauty of Africa that filled her soul and taught her to appreciate fashion, beauty, and artistry. 

In 2011, she founded Harkiss Designs to not only bring beautifully crafted African jewelry and home goods to the U.S. but to also support the hard-working artisans in her native country — most of whom are women responsible for supporting their entire families. Today, Harriet works directly with 11 east African artisans with 300 employees who translate her home and fashion accessory designs into handcrafted one-of-a-kind items for Harkiss Designs. 

As her business grew, she founded Lend a Hand Uganda USA (LAHU-USA), an organization developed to give impoverished Ugandan children access to a safe home, nutritious meals, schooling, and stability. A portion of sales from Harkiss Designs goes directly to the organization. To date, nearly $200K has been raised through sales and individual donations.

For more on how you can donate and get involved with Lahu-USA visit: www.lahu-usa.org