Chimamanda Adichie Designed Limited Edition Medallions For Charity

If you’ve always wanted more from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, apart from her brilliant literary mind, you’re in luck. She, in partnership with jewellery house, Foundrae, has designed a limited edition medallion series, whose proceeds will go to PEN America.

An institution that’s very dear to the award-winning author’s heart, PEN America is a non-profit organization that works to defend freedom of expression in the United States and around the world through the advancement of literature and human rights.

(Photo: Foundrae)

Aptly called Freedom of Expression, the medallion has significant symbols, all chosen and arranged by Chimamanda. The limited edition line features a gold medallion-style centrepiece that comes in various sizes and different chains, and only 40 pieces are in circulation.

Explaining the thought process behind her design, she told Vanity Fair:

“I was thinking about what I wanted to remember of this time. We’re living in a time where I feel a sense of urgency because — and it’s not just America — I think the Western world is moving to the right. 

The reason that I find it really troubling is that the idea of dehumanizing your fellow human beings has become almost acceptable and casual. The crossed arrows represent the idea of living passionately and living knowing that our time here is short and that we need to make the most of it.

I feel that every morning, actually. Every time I look at the pendant I want to think about this urgency—and that one must live in a way that is meaningful.”

For the design, she chose the infinity sign to “honour the endlessness of the things we hold dear”; a fire symbol to recall “that which we can embolden and energize but can also consume”; and two arrows to represent “the need to press on while also acknowledging that life is short”.

Though this is the first time she has tried her hand at designing something wearable, she has long loved fashion and experimenting with her personal style, and that’s why she kicked off the Project Wear Nigerian. We are living for the medallions, too!