Meet Anitra Terrell of Reflektion Design in Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anitra Terrell.

Anitra is a Los Angeles based creative entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience producing exhibits and cultural events. The Philadelphia native has a Bachelor’s of Science & MBA in Marketing.

She was commissioned by the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery (Dayton, OH) to purchase African textiles for their permanent collection during her eight week trip to Ghana. It was during this time that she was immersed in the beauty and history of African textiles.

When the Boonshoft Museum got the word, they would be one of the stops on the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, Wrapped In Pride, Ghanaian Kente Cloth & African American Identity they called on Anitra again to plan the opening night reception which had the largest turnout in the museum’s history.

In 2013, Anitra found herself at a crossroads. She had been laid off twice in a two-year time span and decided it was time to forge her own path. In late 2013, she combined her skills in event production with textile buying and created Reflektion Design, a lifestyle brand for the culturally inspired.

Using a curated approach to sourcing textiles and a discerning eye for pattern, her decor, tableware and travel accessories (made with Ankara fabric & Mud cloth) help you to create a life that feels collected not decorated. After shopping for home decor for her own home, she realized there was a void in the market for authentic ethically sourced African decor.

Since launching Reflektion Design, the company has been featured in Essence Magazine, Design Sponge, Heart & Soul Magazine, and Shoppe Black, to name a few.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I started my business after being laid-off, so it was tough in the beginning. I spent the first few months or so doing research to better understand my industry, but I ended up going back to work to make ends meet and ran the business part-time. Six months into that position, I was laid-off again, so at that point, I decided if I was going to be an entrepreneur, do it and don’t look back.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Reflektion Design – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Reflektion Design is an Afro modern lifestyle brand. Our products are inspired by African culture across the diaspora with a modern twist. From art to food to dance, we bring so much flavor to everything we do; it’s deep-rooted, it pays homage, it’s amazing. Our goal is to celebrate those ideals through design.

Helping people see the value in creating a home that feels fully expressed motivates me and sets us apart. I believe your home is the ultimate canvas for self-expression and should be a reflection of who you are.

Our proudest moment is being selected as a We Local vendor at West Elm stores through California. Seeing your products in a major retail store still feels surreal!

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are looking forward to more commercial projects. Providing decor and curating services to coffee shops, restaurants, co-working spaces etc. We’re also expanding our accessories arm so keep an eye out for jewelry and scarves for the holidays.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.reflektiondesign.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @reflektiondesign
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/reflektiondesign

Image Credit:
Anitra Terrell

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