Sustainable Stitches: Crafting Opportunity, One Stitch at a Time

We’re proud to introduce our newest community initiative: Sustainable Stitches – a project close to our hearts and rooted in our belief that meaningful change starts right at home.

Before becoming a mom and starting LAV Leather, I worked as a conservation and community liaison manager in Zululand. Community upliftment has always been something I’ve felt deeply passionate about. As LAV Leather has grown, so too has our vision for creating opportunities that are practical, sustainable, and empowering — especially for the women in our area.

Sustainable Stitches was born from this dream. It’s designed to offer part-time income opportunities for women in the Manyoni and Zululand areas through training in the art of hand-stitched leatherwork. It’s a skill that requires no electricity, water, or expensive tools — just patience, willingness, and a few simple materials. Much like knitting, it’s something that can be done from home, in the evenings, or during quiet moments.

Zandile Mthembu, our full-time leather crafter and household hero, has been at the core of this project for over a year. Her sister, Stembi, also contributes when she has the time.

Sandile, who began as a cleaner in 2021, now shares handstitching skills with Nokwanda in 2024, showcasing growth and mentorship.

Together, they’ve been supplementing their income by hand-stitching many of our products — often while enjoying their evenings at home. We operate on a simple model: 10% of the final retail value of the item goes directly to the artisan. So if a bag sells for R900, the maker receives R90. As their skills improve, they’re able to produce more complex and higher-value items, growing both their confidence and their earnings.

Recently, we welcomed Nokwanda Zulu into the Sustainable Stitches fold. Watching Zandile confidently guide Nokwanda through her first few stitches was a moment of quiet pride — a full-circle moment that reminded us just how much this small idea has grown. A few years ago, Zandile was brand new to leather too.

Over the next few months, we hope to bring more women into the program, creating not only beautiful handmade goods but also a ripple effect of empowerment in our local community.

Sustainability in Every Sense

Our program is grounded in sustainability — both environmentally and socially:

• Materials: We use off-cuts and surplus leather from larger projects, ensuring minimal waste.

• Processes: All products are handstitched with minimal machinery, reducing our carbon footprint.

• Packaging: Where possible, we use recyclable and biodegradable materials for product packaging.

• People: By focusing on fair pay and ethical working conditions, we’re building a business model that values people over profit.

Nokwanda practices hand stitching with focused determination, learning the craft at a workshop table.

Why It Matters

In a world of fast fashion and mass production, Sustainable Stitches offers something rare: authenticity. It’s about creating beautiful, long-lasting products with a conscience. When you purchase from the Sustainable Stitches range, you’re not just supporting local — you’re investing in real lives, real stories, and a more sustainable future for all.

At LAV Leather, we’ve always believed in craftsmanship that tells a story — and with Sustainable Stitches, that story is now one of upliftment, connection, and hope.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

Sam Kruger

PART OWNER LAV LEATHER

📍Based in Northern KZN📦 Nationwide courier available📧 info@lavleather.com📸 Follow us on Instagram @lavleather