Homo Faber

PRESS EN Languages Account Follow us Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter
|
Presented by logo Homo Faber by Michelangelo Foundation
Explore Artisans Museums & Galleries Experience Itineraries About
Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation

Chido Kaseke

  • PatCh MaokoeZimbabwe
  • Bag maker
  • Harare, Zimbabwe
  • Rising Star
Chido Kaseke Bag maker
Contact
Shona, English
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+263 777154487
Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation

Hessian bags carrying heritage forwards

  • • Chido works with hand-dyed hessian fibre
  • • Sustainable processes are of paramount importance to her
  • • Her designs are inspired by her nation’s textile culture

The memories of a childhood spent making and crafting came flooding back to Chido Kaseke during a volunteering stint at her mother and aunt’s handicrafts college. The experience and a growing desire to work with her hands pushed Chido to transform a bag-making hobby into a business. She established her home-based studio in 2015. Chido has a keen interest in researching sustainable materials, practices, and processes that are less harmful to nature. This led her to use hessian, a bio-degradable fibre. “Living in a country with many power outages, it is helpful that the handcrafting process we use requires little to no electricity.” Chido is also invested in supporting the preservation and development of her country’s craft heritage by working with local artisans.

Read the full interview

Works

  • Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
  • Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
  • Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
  • Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
  • Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Photo: Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Mwedzi shoulder bag

This bag is intricately crafted by hand, one stitch at a time, using hessian fibre. It features a hand-cut leather shoulder belt, and is closed using a drawstring cotton closure. The bag was given the name ‘Mwedzi’, meaning moon in the Shona language, due to its crescent shape.

Photo: Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Circle bag

This bag is crafted by hand using hessian fibres. The use of a cross-stitch pattern secures the edges and allows for durability. The bag’s inner lining is made up of a cellulose fibre that gives the bag its structure. The bag is versatile thanks to a leather belt that enables it to be worn either as a crossbody bag or at the waist.

Photo: Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Woodbead bucket bag

This bag is crafted from hand dyed hessian fibres, and is lined with cotton. The interior also includes a detachable, drawstring duster bag to keep belongings safe and enclosed. The bag features a leather crossbody belt, alongside a hand-held handle made from hand-painted, natural wooden beads. The bag’s cylindrical shape is inspired by the ‘ngoma’ (or ‘drum’ in the Shona language), which is an important object in Zimbabwean culture.

Photo: Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Beaded tassel clutch

This classic clutch bag is hand stitched using hessian fibres. The design features a decorative hand-beaded tassel, which adorns the front of the bag. It can be carried in a clutch style or worn with a strap.

Photo: Wonai_Haruperi ©Michelangelo_Foundation
Feathers clutch

This clutch bag is crafted from hand-dyed hessian fibres. It features a detachable hand-cut leather strap and is accessorised with a faux feather embellishment, attached to the zipper opening.

You may also like

Download the app

Find all the Homo Faber Guide content at hand, save, like and much more!