Sandstorm Kenya as the name suggests, is a world class established Kenyan brand which has raised the bar with their craftsmanship for the upcoming designers looking to venture into bag and accessories making.
Sandstorm produces handcrafted wide range of distinctive and original bags in Canvas & Leather, Pull-up and Pelage Leathers, African Camel and Scottish Estate Tweed.
Before getting into making bags, Sandstorm Kenya used to make luxury safari tents. Today they employ the same skills and ethics to make high quality bags which are made in Kenya at the brands workshop in Karen, Nairobi with 99% of its raw material sourced locally,
Overall, there are six Sandstorm shops in Nairobi, and three more in Nanyuki, Diani Beach and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
From travel Ideal for safaris and road trips, work to Backpacks and Totes, Sandstorm has enough to choose from. The details range from full leather end panels and front zipped pockets, Robust carrying handles, adjustable/removable shoulder strap, to full line and internal zipped pocket.
What I find interesting with the brand is their Open door policy which basically allows anyone who is in Nairobi and interested in seeing how the bags are made first hand to visit their factory.
Asked about the risk involved in this by TDS, Mark Stephenson, Sandstorm Kenya‘s Managing Director, response was; “know I could give somebody one of our fundis, they could go to our raw material suppliers, and they could even purchase the bag itself and figure out how to do it. But I guarantee you, that when that bag is produced it won’t feel or look like a Sandstorm bag.”
More fascinating is the fact that Every Sandstorm Kenya product comes with a lifetime guarantee: which means that in the unlikely event of any defects in materials or workmanship, you can return it to Sandstorm and they will repair it at their expense (or replace it if it cannot be repaired).
In its corporate social responsibility, the brand also supports the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy by making a contribution for every bag sold which serves as a catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya.
Lewa holds 12% of Kenya’s black rhino population and the largest single population of Grevy’s zebras in the world. One of Lewa’s fundamental objectives is to conserve threatened species within its area of operation and provide protected habitat for other species under pressure outside of the Conservancy.
You know you are doing a good job when Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton carries your overnight ‘Odyssey’ travel bag.
The brand is currently collaborating with different designers. I spotted a collabo with Lulu Kitolo which resulted in beautiful metrine totes
“……The job is never done and there’s always something that we can do better. I’m very happy if people think that we’re great but I think as soon as I start to think that we’re great that’s the beginning of the end. You’ve got to constantly be striving for greatness. As soon as you think you’ve gotten there, you might as well pack up and close shop.” States Mark to TDS
The brand’s strength is functionality and timelessness states the MD
