The Makers and The Movement
Yakaa Studio is the result of a seamless collision between two creative minds who found their home and their collaborative spark in Diani. What began as Janina’s solo design venture has evolved into a full scale lifestyle brand through a partnership rooted in intuition, skill, and a shared coastal soul. Today, the studio is a hub of constant creativity, a recognisable pulse inviting you to wear the spirit of the beach and carry that energy into the everyday.
Janina: The maker and the Eye
Janina is a multidisciplinary creative whose work merges technical mastery with raw intuition. With a background in professional Interior Design, Decorative and Fine Arts, she specialises in the "soul" of functional objects, moving fluidly between textile design, apparel, and bespoke interiors.
A British/Polish creative who has called Diani her home since 2019, Janina established the brand’s signature visual language through intricate patchwork and bold colour-blocking. Originally born from a personal project using salvaged off-cuts, this tactile, made-to-order spirit remains a cornerstone of Yakaa. At the heart of her work are "charms"—tangible icons that reflect the daily rhythms of life by the water. These symbols are woven into every creation, grounding her projects in a meaningful connection to the environment.
Under the name Yakaa—a nod to her Cancerian roots and the invitation to "sit and stay"—she has cultivated an intentional, sought-after aesthetic. Janina is the "Eye" creating this world; she just needed the right lens to show it.
Amy: The Storyteller and the Lens
Originally from South Africa, Amy is a creative strategist, photographer, and storyteller who finds inspiration in the depth of a brand’s character. With a background in film, marketing, and professional brand building, she specialises in crafting narratives that resonate on a human level. Amy does not just capture images, she captures the feeling of a place.
She was looking for a narrative as layered as the stories she wanted to tell, and she found it the moment she stepped into Yakaa’s studio. Amy ensures that every visual and digital touchpoint reflects the same depth that Janina pours into the physical products.
The Collision: Insane Magic
The partnership began when Amy recognised a unique visual identity that deserved a voice to match. The energy during their first photoshoot was "insane magic." The moment Janina’s intuitive styling met Amy’s storytelling lens, the synergy was undeniable.
This evolution from a personal expression into a collective force reflects the Kaa Kundi (Crab Group) essence, crabs moving together in sync and in tide. By the ocean, they have found a perfect balance in their roles:
Janina is the Foundation: The expert visionary ensuring every project is rooted in artistic depth and design pedigree.
Amy is the Translator: The digital architect who takes that physical essence and builds it into a powerful, global brand presence.
Where Janina creates the world, Amy illuminates it.
The Next Tide
Today, Yakaa is more than a studio, it is a flourishing movement. The brand’s footprint is expanding through intentional product exploration and the launch of Kaa Kundi Takeovers, which are immersive experiences designed to let people step directly into the Yakaa world.
Through these collaborative takeovers and partnerships with local artisans, Janina and Amy are bringing the Yakaa spirit to life in new and unexpected spaces.
The voyage has only just begun.