Founded by Carla Ashton, at the heart of Thandana lies a deep commitment to being proudly South African. From day one, Ashton has ensured that all fabrics and leathers are locally sourced, celebrating the country’s rich resources and the artisans behind each product. Every piece is a testament to the skill and dedication of South African craftsmanship, honouring those who bring these designs to life.

What began in 2010 as a passion project merging Ashton’s two loves — travel and design — has evolved into a thriving South African brand known for its exceptional craftsmanship and timeless designs. Starting with just four machinists in a garage, Thandana has grown into a business employing over 60 staff members, creating beautifully handcrafted travel and handbag collections.

Each Thandana piece is made with life in mind — whether you’re travelling, working, studying, parenting, or anything in between. More than just bags, Thandana is here to Carry Your Life with Love.

In line with their dedication to community upliftment, Thandana launched the LIV the Thandana Way project in collaboration with LIV Village. Through this initiative, Thandana Bags donates a range of materials — including leather offcuts, canvas, foil, foam, laminated fabrics, and co-branded labels, collected weekly — to support LIV Village in manufacturing their own product range.

This partnership empowers the women of LIV Village by providing hands-on production opportunities, while the sale of these products, both locally and internationally, helps generate sustainable income for the village. These funds contribute directly to LIV’s self-sufficiency, development projects, and general upkeep.

Beyond material donations, Thandana also provides design input, guidance on product development, and has donated sewing machines to help improve production capabilities. The brand regularly conducts training sessions to upskill more women at LIV Village, empowering them to create quality products and build a better future through craft and entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit Thandana.