FROM DURBAN TO THE WORLD

eThekwini Pavilion | Engage Trade & Services Africa 2026

There is a story behind every Shlobo Designs creation.

It begins with the material — genuine leather, carefully selected and transformed by skilled hands. It continues through stitching, shaping, finishing and, where the design calls for it, the vibrant detail of African-inspired beadwork.

But the story does not end with the product.

It extends to the artisan who makes it, the skills that are being developed, the local economy being supported and the international customer who discovers a piece of South Africa through design.

This is the story Shlobo Designs brings to the eThekwini Pavilion at Engage Trade & Services Africa 2026.

“We are not simply selling handcrafted products. We are building a South African brand that carries our craftsmanship, our creativity and our identity into global markets.”

CRAFTED IN SOUTH AFRICA. CREATED TO TRAVEL.

Shlobo Designs is a proudly South African handcrafted fashion and leather brand specialising in genuine leather handbags, business and lifestyle bags, beaded accessories and distinctive fashion pieces.

The brand's design language brings together contemporary functionality and African-inspired aesthetics. Locally sourced leather provides the foundation, while carefully considered beadwork and handcrafted details give many pieces their distinctive character.

The result is a collection that feels authentically African without being confined to one occasion or one market.

From a statement handbag to a practical business bag, Shlobo designs with today's customer in mind — while ensuring that the story of African craftsmanship remains visible in every piece.

WHERE CRAFT BECOMES OPPORTUNITY

Behind the products is a bigger purpose.

Shlobo Designs is committed to creating opportunities through skills development, local manufacturing and inclusive participation, with a particular focus on women, youth and emerging artisans.

The business demonstrates how traditional and contemporary craft can become part of a commercially sustainable enterprise.

For Shlobo, manufacturing is not only about producing a finished product. It is about transferring skills, developing confidence and creating pathways for people to participate meaningfully in the economy.

“Every handcrafted piece represents a skill, a livelihood and an opportunity.”

This philosophy is central to the Shlobo story — and increasingly important as consumers and international buyers look beyond products to understand how and where those products are made.

FROM LOCAL HANDS TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Shlobo Designs has steadily taken its products beyond the local market, using trade exhibitions and international platforms to introduce its craftsmanship to buyers and business networks.

Its international exposure has included participation at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), where the brand received a Silver Award.

For a growing South African enterprise, such platforms provide more than visibility. They create opportunities to understand international customer preferences, build relationships, test products and explore new commercial markets.

Shlobo's ambition is to continue developing relationships across Africa and internationally while strengthening its capacity to serve B2B buyers, corporate clients, retailers, distributors and export markets.

The goal is clear: build a scalable African brand without losing the craftsmanship that made it distinctive in the first place.

MORE THAN A HANDBAG

A Shlobo bag can be functional. It can be bold. It can be elegant.

But it can also tell a story.

A leather bag can represent local manufacturing. A beaded accessory can carry generations of creative expression. A handcrafted piece can provide an artisan with an opportunity to earn, learn and grow.

This is where Shlobo Designs believes African design has a powerful place in the global marketplace.

Not as a souvenir.

Not as a trend.

But as quality, contemporary products made in Africa and created for modern consumers around the world.

“African craftsmanship belongs wherever quality, creativity and authentic design are valued.”

THE eTHEKWINI CONNECTION

The eThekwini Pavilion provides an important platform for Shlobo Designs to showcase what is possible when local enterprise, creativity and international trade opportunities come together.

Durban has a rich cultural and commercial identity, and Shlobo Designs is part of a growing ecosystem of businesses demonstrating the city's capacity for innovation, manufacturing and creative entrepreneurship.

At Engage Trade & Services Africa 2026, Shlobo is not only displaying products.

It is opening conversations.

Conversations with buyers.

Conversations with partners.

Conversations with retailers and distributors.

And conversations about how proudly South African businesses can build sustainable international trade relationships.

Come and discover the story behind the product.

Visit Shlobo Designs at the eThekwini Pavilion at Engage Trade & Services Africa 2026 and experience a collection where genuine leather, African-inspired design and skilled craftsmanship meet contemporary fashion and business needs.

Whether you are a buyer looking for distinctive African products, a retailer exploring new collections, a corporate client seeking bespoke gifting, a distributor searching for South African brands, or a potential international partner, Shlobo welcomes the opportunity to connect.

See the craftsmanship.
Feel the leather.
Discover the story.
Start the conversation.

SHLOBO DESIGNS

Footwear | Leather | Handcrafted Fashion

Proudly South African. Handcrafted with purpose. Created for the world.

Meet us at the eThekwini Pavilion — Engage Trade & Services Africa 2026.