Melbourne label Hausa Leather is creating high-quality basics with an edge
IMAGE VIA @HAUSALEATHER/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“Contemporary yet timeless leather pieces.”
London-born designer Koni Kajang broke into the fashion industry as a teenager, cutting her teeth working for brands like Erdem and Christopher Kane. Over her two decades designing for other labels, Koni found her love of working with leather. After moving to Melbourne for a change of pace, Koni founded Hausa Leather, seeking to “make high-quality leather goods while doing as little harm as possible to the environment”.
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As a label, Hausa Leather upholds pillars of sustainability and diversity. The name Hausa pays homage to the Hausa people of northern Nigeria, which is Koni’s ancestral tribe. All Hausa Leather materials are ethically sourced as a by-product of the meat industry, helping to reduce waste while maintaining quality. Below, Koni tells the story of the labels so far.
Tell us about you. What’s your fashion background?
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I’m originally from London – I made the move to Melbourne eight years ago in search of a little break from busy London life and I ended up staying! My background in fashion runs deep; I began studying fashion design when I was 16 at the London College of Fashion.
Over the years, I’ve worked for a number of high and mid-market brands in London, like Erdem, Christopher Kane and French Connection. I love developing ideas and garments and working with shapes, cuts and finishes. Fashion has always been second nature to me – I used to make my clothes for my dolls when I was six years old!
How did the label get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
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The label started during the COVID lockdowns through frustration working as a designer for a small local brand which didn’t allow for much creative freedom. I needed an outlet. Back in the day, I worked as an accessory designer, and the pull to work with leather came from this.
My design philosophy is pretty simple – we make contemporary yet timeless leather pieces. I started with research and sketching, drawing inspiration from vintage workwear designs, looking for clever finishes and construction ideas then reworking for today.
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I work with amazing makers and pattern makers who help bring my concepts and sketches to life. The biggest challenge has been setting up a completely self-funded business. We work with some of the most premium manufacturers and don’t mass produce, which can be a challenge compared to big companies with a lot of buying power.
What were you trying to achieve from the project at the time? How has this evolved and what are you trying to communicate through the brand now?
When we started I was really looking for creative freedom. I wanted to do something that wasn’t solely driven by financial profits, but rather something that would bring joy in the process of making some beautiful pieces. I started with just a couple of shapes and have now expanded into a complete collection that included shoes and bags. I’m excited to see what the future holds for us.
How would you describe Hausa Leather to someone who’s never seen it before?
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Simple, wearable leather pieces with an edge that you’ll have forever.
What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
I am proud that I was able to just bite the bullet and get the brand off the ground. There are always doubts, so just putting myself out there and keeping going brings me great pride.
What do you wish you knew when you started?
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I initially allocated minimal resources to marketing and advertising when I started the brand and it’s something I’d do differently if I had my time again. My focus was very much on the product side of things but I’ve learned that you need to invest just as much time and resources in this area too.
Who do you think is most exciting in Australian and New Zealand fashion right now?
I love seeing new brands emerging with the same ideals. It’s nice to see the shift away from the typical fast fashion business model into a more sustainable and inclusive one.
What about the Australian and New Zealand fashion industry needs to change?
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I’d love to see more brands push for quality over quantity. Overconsumption and the pressure to always have the latest thing need to change. [I’d love to see] more focus on creating high-quality products that you are going to have forever and wear over and over again.
Dream Australian and New Zealand collaborators?
I would love to collaborate with Lucy Folk or Radical Yes!
Go-to dinner party playlist?
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I’m a lover of Black British music [like] Little Sims, Skepta [and] FKA Twigs, among others. I’m also a lover of Afro beats and ska music. My guilty pleasure would be Swedish artists like Tove Lo and Robyn.
Who is in your wardrobe right now?
I buy a lot of vintage pieces. I also have pieces from past fashion brands that I’ve worked at, plus YMC and P.A.M. Items from Cos are also a staple in my home as they’re easy to wear when you’ve got a three-year-old running around.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
Online at hausaleather.com.
Anything else to add?
Yes! We are currently working on our second drop, which will be out in the next couple of months so keep an eye out for that!
Browse the Hausa Leather collection here.
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