An unlikely bond has been formed between Carol Bouwer and Esther Mahlangu, a globally celebrated Ndebele artist from Mpumalanga, thanks to their love for handbags.
"Esther Mahlangu is someone I have admired for many years and I always knew that we would do a collaboration together, what I did not foresee is that it would be a bag" Says Bouwer. "This is a very exciting project where I get to pay homage to her, as she is as much of a bag lover as I am."
"When Mam' Esther does all these collaborations what a lot of people don't realise is she's got a lot of urgency. She's very involved and the first two bags she rejected. That's how we ended up with the round shape and we developed the story with her. She knows what she wants and she is a very strong and smart woman." Bouwer says.
The two women from two different walks of life have designed 50 custom-made bags, crafted with Mahlangu's signature artwork to mark her 85th birthday. Made out of locally sourced python, ostrich and crocodile skin, the collection will first be displayed and for sale at the Melrose Gallery, in Johannesburg, from November 20th.
