Profile: Angela Ndonga – Real Leather Design Competitions

Angela Ndonga

Self Employed

Founder and Creative Director, Hide and Yarn Creations

My journey in design began at the age of eight during my formative school years, when I created my first knitted green pouch. Although I did not yet fully understand my creative path, that early experience planted the seed for what would later become my career in fashion and craftsmanship. Year's later, while at university, my passion for handmade design resurfaced. Together with my roommate, we began creating beaded bracelets, bangles and waist beads for fellow students and to supplement our pocket money. These small entrepreneurial ventures nurtured my appreciation for craftsmanship, creativity and design. In my fourth year of university ( 2019-2020 ), I developed a keen interest in crochet, a craft that significantly expanded my creative expression. Largely self-taught through online learning platforms, particularly YouTube, I immersed myself in mastering crochet and knitting techniques. This passion eventually led to the establishment of my creative business in 2021, when I launched my first collection of crochet sandals. The idea for the crochet sandals emerged from a desire to create products that were both innovative and efficient to produce as a solo entrepreneur. Inspired by the concept of footwear craftsmanship showcased by the Rwandan brand, Uzuri K&Y, I adapted the concept through my own creative lens, becoming one of the first designers to introduce premium-quality crochet sandals to the Kenyan market. As the business grew, so did its recognition. In 2023, my work received its first major accolade when I won the Innovation category at the Kayana Female MSME Awards. This achievement validated the uniqueness of my designs and strengthened my commitment to innovation within the fashion and accessories industry. In 2024, I was selected as a finalist in the Real Leather Stay Different Africa Competition under the footwear category with a project themed The Continuity of The Yarn Culture. Participating in this prestigious competition became a turning point in my professional journey, inspiring me to deepen my expertise in leather craftsmanship. This experience led me to pursue formal training at the Training and Production Centre for Shoe Industry in 2024-2025. The knowledge and technical skills gained through leather design education transformed both my perspective and my brand. This evolution inspired the rebranding of Angie's Crochet's into Hide and Yarn Creations, reflecting the fusion of leather craftsmanship and textile artistry that defines my work today. Since then, I have expanded beyond footwear to develop my first collection of bags and accessories, marking a significant milestone in the growth of the brand. Today, my work celebrates the intersection between leather, yarn, innovation and storytelling. Through Hide and Yarn Creations, I continue to explore contemporary African design while creating handcrafted products that blend traditional techniques with modern aesthetics. My journey is a testament to the belief that knowledge is power and that continuous learning is the foundation of meaningful creative growth.

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The Becoming Of The Yarn Culture (The Journey Of Life)

Category: Accessories

Competitions: Africa

A conceptual collection re-imagining the relationship between fashion, identity and craftsmanship is The Becoming Of The Yarn Culture. It begins with a symbol that carries us through every step of our existence, a pair of shoe; The Sandal, which transforms into an entirely now form, A Handbag. Presenting the heart of this debut piece is a handcrafted crochet sandal integrated into a structured leather bag through a continuous zipper system. The sandal, associated with movement, travel and daily life becomes the foundation of a new object. This transformation symbolizes the human journey of becoming; how experiences, challenges and growth reshape us while maintaining/preserving our authenticity, the true essence of who we are. A combination of responsibly sourced real leather with intricate hand-crocheted cotton yarn work, celebrating the meeting point between heritage craftsmanship and contemporary innovative designs. Leather represents strength, resilience and longevity while yarn embodies adaptability, connection and creativity intricately designed to represent a future-facing design language. Just as people continue to exist in a continuous state of becoming, the bags form captures the ideal moment between two identities, a sandal and a handbag. The accessories and techniques used demonstrate the evolution of the craft itself with traditional skills being interpreted into unexpected, functional top tier craftsmanship. The piece appreciates the unconventional product design by encouraging versatility, emotional story telling and a deeper engagement with the materials. Leather is being used as a medium through which stories, memories and transformations can be expressed. As a 2024 finalist, the The Real Leather Stay Different Africa Competition, has continuously encouraged me through my journey as a Creative Leather Designer to embody the spirit of innovation rooted in authenticity. Showing what African Craftsmanship really looks like in 2026, pushing boundaries and transforming familiar objects into extraordinary narratives honoring both heritage and imagination. The Becoming Of The Yarn Culture project is more than just an accessory submission, it's a symbol of transformation that reminds us that every journey begins with a single step and every step shapes who we become.