Who we are

CIKO CIRILLO is an editorial platform documenting contemporary culture through the lenses of luxury, art, fashion and sustainability.

Founded in Johannesburg and now operating from London, CIKO CIRILLO exists to explore how creativity moves between Africa and the world. Our name reflects this philosophy. CIKO, derived from the isiZulu language, speaks to art and craft. CIRILLO, of Italian origin, represents mastery. Together, they embody the belief that creativity is enriched through the continuous exchange of ideas across cultures.

Through editorial interviews, research studies and visual storytelling, we preserve the ideas, craftsmanship and people shaping contemporary creativity.

As an Official Partner Initiative supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a member of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, our work is rooted in cultural preservation, sustainability and narrative equity.

Our Vision

To become one of the world’s most respected editorial institutions documenting the movement of contemporary culture. We envision CIKO CIRILLO becoming the archive where brands, creatives, institutions and future generations look to understand how luxury, art, fashion and sustainability evolved through cultural exchange.

Our Mission

We exist to connect creative voices across continents through thoughtful editorial storytelling. Every conversation, publication and collaboration contributes to a living archive that celebrates craftsmanship, cultural dialogue and creative excellence.

CIKO CIRILLO creates editorial experiences that become part of a permanent cultural archive. Our editorial practice includes:

  • Editorial interviews

  • Long-form written features

  • Research studies

  • Visual storytelling

  • Brand and designer profiles

  • Cultural essays

  • Creative direction

  • Institutional collaborations

What we create

Meet the founder

Born in Durban, South Africa and now based in London, United Kingdom, Zesintu Mgobhozi founded CIKO CIRILLO to document how creativity moves between Africa and the world. Her work sits at the intersection of luxury, art, fashion, culture and sustainability. Through thoughtful conversations, research and visual storytelling, she is building an editorial archive that preserves cultural narratives for future generations.

Before founding CIKO CIRILLO, Zesintu worked as a Strategist at Net#work BBDO, contributing strategic thinking for global brands including Google, YouTube, L’Oréal, Ford Mustang and Bacardi. Her background in marketing research continues to inform the curiosity and depth behind every editorial feature.

She graduated Cum Laude in Marketing Communication from the AAA School of Advertising, receiving six academic excellence awards. She then graduated with a BComm Honours in Marketing Management from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she pioneered research into sustainable fashion. She is currently an MSc in Marketing and Brand Management candidate at Nottingham Business School in the United Kingdom.

For Zesintu, every interview is a contribution to a growing cultural archive that ensures today’s creative voices remain part of tomorrow’s history.