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Sourcing Skin

Sourcing Skin

Roughly 2 hours later we had arrived, at a huge factory building in the industrial part of town.  Entering from the back, we embraced the enormity of this leather tannery.  We hit the motherload.  Initial contact was made by a very friendly black staff member with gold teach, that came up to us and asked if he could assist, in Afrikaans.  Gotta love South Africa. 
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Leather Saddle Seat Chair

Leather Saddle Seat Chair

I was determined to make something practical, beautiful and lasting. I pictured the chair being used by an artist finishing his masterpiece in a loft studio in Braamfontein.  I imagined three friends sitting on them around a fire in Elands Bay, having a beer after surfing all day.   A wing shooter, scanning the skies for those elusive rock pigeons. 
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Mbonise Leather Craft

Mbonise Leather Craft

Most entrepreneurs’ crazy ideas originate from a need or problem that they wanted to solve.  In Mbonisi’s case, a leather belt.  After finding PBloch and Co in the Yellow Pages, Mbonisi paid them a visit and immediately commenced riffling through their off-cuts bin. “It was the happiest day of my life!” said Mbonisi, and shortly after his first belt was born.
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Finding a Collaborator

Finding a Collaborator

I don’t know that I would necessarily comment on the fashion part of the clothing stores and shops on route to this district, but there certainly were, it seemed, hundreds of them. Considering the CBD’s demographic, who knows what is fashionable in the DRC, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Ethiopia for that matter.  Unfair elections, Coup d'états and gold plated AK74s perhaps?  I know, they know what the latest fashion is, almost all of Africa with bad internet has DSTV dummy.
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I am the Luckiest Fish

I am the Luckiest Fish

After many failures and some moderate success, this will be my proudest new-born business.  Starting a new business is almost like having a child, which would make me a pretty bad parent.
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African Heros Wear Blankets

Made in Johannesburg, South Africa, these blankets have a deep cultural significance and history. The world-renowned Basotho tribal blankets distinguish this nation from others by the way in which the blankets are worn as part of their everyday life. The designs have been developed over many years with the blessing of the Lesotho Royal Family.   

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