In the competitive world of global accessory and handbag design, Noleen Matthews-Diljan has big dreams of making her community sit up and take notice, with her unique take on beautiful, handcrafted pieces that celebrate the art of craftsmanship combined with a uniquely African woman’s touch.
Noleen, who is a mother of three, is talent personified and has a great eye for design. Her creative niche has allowed her to create handbags that have a great story to tell and hold visual appeal.
She recalls growing up as a phase in her life that was not the easiest and said that she started sewing when she was a little girl, “My mother often sewed and stitched and that’s where I learned how to master the art, I’ve been doing this all my life, I knitted blankets and clothing for my children and finally decided to make a career out of it last year,” she said.
“My daughter’s Career Day sparked the idea and I’ve been at it ever since,” she added.
Diljan has set up a stall in Kliptown and sits with other entrepreneurs on a daily basis in hopes that someone will recognise their products and like it enough to purchase.
“Sitting in busy Kliptown every day is no easy task. It gets difficult and can be demotivating because sometimes I go home without having sold a single bag. That means I haven’t made money to provide for my children but I do it for them, my children are my main motivation,” said Diljan.
She chooses not to dwell on the bad days but prefers staying motivated instead.
She added, “I have big dreams, one day I want to own my own boutique. I know it won’t be easy, but I am allowed to dream aren’t I ?”
Diljan’s handbags are all African inspired and cater to women of all ages. The bags are available in different colours, sizes and designs.
“The designs all depend on what my clients want. I am able to sew literally anything onto the bags,” said Diljan.
This Women’s Month, her handbag designs will focus on the commemorative march that took place in 1956 where 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The women marched in protest against the pass laws, which required people designated as “black” by the South African government, to apply for a travel pass just for travel within South Africa.
The purpose was to maintain segregation and control migrant labour, all part of the general apartheid policy of the time.
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