Meet the five female makers behind The Watershed Design Lab’s freshest crop of local brands
Judging by this year’s new set of brands participating in the Watershed Design Lab, the power of the local creative community to create original products with great business potential is on the rise, with female founders at the forefront of ingenuity and commercial potential. Entrepreneurs Nadia Appleby, Nomava Damoyi, Pai Kondile, Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana and Sam Olivier are embarking on a new chapter of sales experience, public exposure, and revenue generation as they take up a year-long residence at this living laboratory-cum-retail store.
This programme by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI) and V&A Waterfront is supported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) and offers an entry point into the retail environment at a major tourist destination. The Watershed Design Lab has proven successful as a launching pad for emerging brands since 2021. The 2022-23 cohort generated more than R1,24 million in sales and two of the brand owners have since set up their own permanent stores at the V&A Watershed.
Chosen for their creative mastery and entrepreneurial promise, each 2024 participant has walked a personal journey that has been integral in shaping their business and driving its success. Learn more about their compelling stories here:
Nadia Appleby of Meraki Accessories
What began as an artistic outlet during the pandemic has developed into a range of intricate and versatile jewellery. Crafted with painstaking attention to detail and imbued with a deep sense of purpose, Meraki Accessories is an expression of Appleby’s passion and personality.
Using the ancient art of glass beadwork to bring contemporary designs to life, these earrings and necklaces are delicate and striking. In monochrome, pastel, and bright colours, the range is as diverse as the women who wear it. Beyond being easy on the eyes, the brand is rooted in a sense of purpose, dedicating a portion of every sale to meals for those in need.
Nomava Damoyi of Lindo Leather
Leathersmith Nomava Damoyi started her entirely self-funded, family-run business out of her children’s bedroom at her Khayelitsha home. With a goal to empower the community where she found her first customers, Damoyi and her husband and co-founder employ a team of leather workers from their community, working with machines bought with the business’s first profits.
Since hand-making the first wallets and belts, Damoyi has seen her enterprise develop into an exquisite range of belts, wallets, bags, and accessories. Made from high-quality leather offcuts, each accessory is sustainably crafted with care. The shades and textures are a feast for the eyes and the brand is geared towards comfortable and practical use.
Pai Kondile of Shumba Bags
While working in the male-dominated field of investment banking, Kondile’s statement handbags became a source of self-expression and confidence. As a way to pass on her experience to women just like her, she began to embroider purpose-filled illustrations onto high quality leather bags. There’s a rich and layered story behind each bag, inspired by the singular strength, style and poise of African women.
A blend of embroidery and appliqué is used to create this one-of-a-kind collection inspired by and created for powerful women. Using bold colours and striking designs, each bag is decorated with a portrait of a regal woman in traditional dress and named after a different African language. Imbued with significance and an undeniably African feel, the bags are as beautiful to look at as they are easy to wear.
Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana of Thabo Makhetha
Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana created her eponymous fashion label to give women the opportunity to wow with luxurious Basotho-inspired fashion. Jackets, capes and coats are made from beautifully distinctive Basotho blankets used as fabric. The latest additions to the collection are made with custom-printed 100% cotton inspired by these traditional textiles and patterns, and drawing on symbolism from Makhetha-Kwinana’s own family lineage.
This contemporary take on a cultural custom adds colour and flair to women’s wardrobes and celebrates African heritage with the intention to create heirloom pieces designed with sustainability and meaning in mind. Makhetha-Kwinana made her runway debut at Canada’s Toronto Fashion Week, and her Starburst Coat was nominated by then Elle Magazine Editor, Emilie Gambade, as a finalist in the Design Indaba’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa award in 2017.
Sam Olivier of Tiger Lily Tots
As a new mother, Sam Olivier started to sew sensory toys for her little ones, carefully choosing soft textured fabrics and complementary colours to stimulate and comfort them. Today, she employs a team of five fellow mothers who work together to produce toys under the Tiger Lily Tots brand. Soft to the touch and stitched to perfection, you can feel the love the team sews into every item.
Tiger Lily specialises in sensory fabric toys, accessories and decor products. Think adorable soft animals, cute swings, carry cots and blankets as well as various beaded decor products like cot mobiles and wall decor. The brand has its sights on the global baby merchandise market and aims to increase job opportunities by tapping into local stitching and beading skills.
The Watershed Design Lab welcomed its new cohort in September 2024, and the brand owners will participate in the programme until September 2025. Visit the store daily between 10h00 and 18h00 to show your support for the V&A Waterfront X CDI’s latest group of rising creative entrepreneurs.
For more information visit https://www.thecdi.org.za/ and https://www.waterfront.co.za/area/watershed/.
Follow the CDI on Facebook: @TheCraftDesignInstitute and Instagram: @craft_and_design_institute.
