Our story

Never underestimate a small group of people wanting to change the world – for indeed, they are the only ones that ever did.”

– Margaret Mead

Khula came to life when our founder Moniek van Erven moved from Amsterdam to Johannesburg and fell in love with its rhythm, diversity and people. She felt the need and desire to give a voice to the alternative narrative expressed in the artworks of South African artists – providing a canvas for their work, a ‘voice’ for their stories and providing additional income for the artists with an honest share for the sale of each bag.

In discovering the South African art scene, she found a country struggling to reconcile a tumultuous past with an uncertain future, yet bursting with potential and hope – yet a lack of platform for the voices she encountered to engage a larger worldwide audience. As an experienced social entrepreneur she seized the opportunity and got to work.

So here we are.

We’ve gathered a community of talented, like-minded individuals, to make sure that everything about Khula is about growth through art.

Printed inside the bags is a poetic description of the artwork.

Our photo shoots have an artistic edge.

Our models exude art.

Our designers are artists.

Our artisanal bags are assembled by hand into high quality pieces of wearable art.

Moniek van Erven

Do reach out to Moniek on moniek@khulawear.com, she’s happy to connect and exchange thoughts!

— Here’s to the arty ones

Khula means ‘growth’.  A name that originates in the desire to give a platform to the views of our artists; local South Africans coming to grips with the contrasts that surround them, in order for society at large to experience and engage with their work.

Artists’ paintings, illustrations, graffiti and photography are reproduced by digital print or hand-painted directly onto the bags. Each bag is tagged with an insight into the work and background of the artist – thereby enabling wearers to engage directly with the artwork and spread the word about the artists involved.

Products