Phiwe Mareka Sekoalane elevating African leather craftsmanship.
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
You ever scroll through your social media feed and suddenly bump into a brand name that instantly makes you curious? Before you know it, you've clicked on their page, and all you can think is, WOW. The branding is clean, the products are beautifully designed, and you immediately realise that some people aren't just dreaming, they're making sure those dreams come to life in clear, well-designed, and stunning ways. Well, that was exactly my reaction when I came across Hide and Suede.
There is something refreshing about discovering a brand that doesn't scream for attention but quietly earns it through quality, purpose, and thoughtful craftsmanship. Behind Hide and Suede is Phiwe Mareka Sekoalane, a South African artisan whose journey proves that passion, patience, and persistence can transform creativity into a respected business.
Born and raised in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, Phiwe's entrepreneurial story took shape after she moved to Cape Town at the age of 18. While many people relocate searching for opportunities, she found something even more valuable, her creative identity. Cape Town awakened her appreciation for design, craftsmanship, and the beauty of creating products that tell stories. Later, Johannesburg would shape another important part of her journey, giving her the resilience and business mindset needed to turn creativity into entrepreneurship. As she puts it, Cape Town made the creative in her, while Johannesburg made the entrepreneur.
That combination gave birth to Hide and Suede, a handcrafted leather brand specialising in premium leather goods and personalised gifting solutions. But Phiwe's vision goes beyond producing beautiful accessories. Her goal has always been to create products that people don't simply own, they treasure. Whether it's a wallet marking a milestone, a leather bag that travels through life's adventures, or a corporate gift celebrating achievement, every item is designed to become part of someone's story.
Phiwe Mareka Sekoalane elevating African leather craftsmanship.
Her relationship with leather is equally inspiring. Unlike materials that lose their appeal over time, Phiwe believes leather grows more beautiful with age. Every scratch, crease, and mark becomes evidence of a life well lived. That philosophy perfectly mirrors her approach to business and craftsmanship.
Remarkably, Phiwe is entirely self-taught. Her skills were developed through curiosity, countless hours of research, experimentation, and learning from mistakes. Rather than chasing perfection, she focused on continuous improvement, believing that true craftsmanship lies in respecting the process and always striving to become better.
Her African heritage also plays a significant role in shaping the brand's identity. Instead of following short-lived trends, Phiwe creates timeless, functional products that celebrate quality, authenticity, and thoughtful design. Through Hide and Suede, she hopes to change perceptions of African craftsmanship, not as an alternative to global luxury, but as a standard of excellence worthy of international recognition.
Like every successful entrepreneur, Phiwe quickly realised that making exceptional products alone would not guarantee business success. One of her biggest lessons was understanding that financial planning, systems, operations, customer experience, and marketing are just as important as creativity itself. Mentorship became a turning point, helping her develop structured business processes and long-term growth strategies that positioned Hide and Suede for sustainable success.
That growth has been accelerated through the Woolworths Youth Makers Programme, an opportunity that provided far more than exposure. Through mentorship, Phiwe developed a Standard Operating Procedure, a 12-month growth plan, and a detailed marketing strategy. Perhaps even more importantly, the programme gave her the confidence to think beyond today's orders and believe that South African artisan brands can successfully compete on a much larger stage.
Every Hide and Suede product begins with one simple question - What problem does it solve? Only after understanding its purpose does Phiwe begin sketching concepts, creating patterns, building prototypes, selecting premium leather, and carefully refining every detail. Each item is then handcrafted, quality-checked, and thoughtfully packaged before reaching the customer. It's this intentional process that transforms ordinary products into meaningful possessions.
As the world is dominated by fast fashion and disposable products, Hide and Suede proudly stands for something different. The brand champions quality over quantity, craftsmanship over convenience, and timeless design over temporary trends. Every product is created to last, encouraging customers to build memories rather than simply replace possessions.
As she continues to build, Phiwe envisions Hide and Suede becoming one of South Africa's recognised luxury leather brands, expanding its presence in corporate gifting, retail, and eventually international markets. She also hopes to broaden the brand into new lifestyle categories while remaining true to its commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. Above all, her dream is to leave behind a legacy that inspires young African creatives to believe they can build globally respected brands without compromising their identity. Hide and Suede is proving that African craftsmanship deserves not only recognition but celebration on the world stage.
For more, visit: Hide and Suede