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EDITÉUR PLUS
Mariska names some of her bags and accessories after explorers and adventurers who have gone before
like Henry Hudson, the English explorer. Her favourite among these is the Livingston, a travel bag. It is close
to her heart because of the exciting potential adventures that the bag could go on and it also happens to be
the first item that she sold.
Being in a supportive family is one of the things that has brought Mariska and the Wanderer brand to where
they are today. ‘I can’t even begin to describe the major role their encouragement played in where the brand
is today and the places where it will go.’
Mariska would encourage young, aspiring designers to learn the proper way of designing with the materials
and fabrics that you want to use. She says that although there are many ways to work with leather, there
are few that create long-lasting, high-quality products. She would also say, ‘Just go for it.’ As humans, we
have a tendency to overthink things and find reasons why plans and dreams will not work. She believes that
if you are passionate about something then you should go for it, you’ll find that you can make it work. Hard
work and determination are what took Wanderer from being an idea in Mariska’s head to an online store
that caters for a variety of tastes and styles both locally and abroad. Much time was spent building Wander-
er’s reputation on social media so that it could be known as an authentic, pure brand.
‘There are definitely plans for expanding into new areas as the brand is growing,’ says Mariska as she re-
flects the coming months and years. A project she hopes to take on in the future is one where she teaches
local women to work with leather, giving them the skills she has. Training those who are unlikely to afford
higher education is a truly valuable and sustainable investment into the community.
Though there is a temptation for us as customers in this economic climate to buy cheaper products, experi-
ence with those products has taught us that they do not provide value for money in the long run. As Mariska
continues to make high quality, handcrafted leather items, followers, fans and admirers of the brand will
do well to choose Wanderer products. As Vivienne Westwood says, ‘Buy less, choose well, make it last,’
and with the quality promised by the Wanderer brand, products will do nothing less than endure into the
future.
EDITÉUR PLUS / THE FIFTEENTH ISSUE