LEAP OF FAITH PAYS OFF FOR BAG DESIGNER
HAVING a baby changed the course of Majda Rabin’s career. A BCom Economics graduate, she had been working in the financial services industry and had big plans to work in asset management.
“When I had my first child, I just said the 9 to 5 is not going to work for me anymore,” she explains. “Also, I always knew deep down that I wanted to have my own business.
“My mother is a dress designer and my father was in the tailoring side of things. It was probably something that was natural and always there in me… the passion to design.”
The Cape-based entrepreneur started in 2007 by making leather clutch bags for herself and friends over the weekends.
“I got into contact with someone who gave me a book where I managed to find all the manufacturers I needed. The first lady I phoned stuck with me for two years. I was still working part-time then and I would meet her on a Saturday morning and she would make one or two clutches at a time.
“A shop at the Cape Quarter took a few of my things on consignment. Then one day they phoned me to tell me that US actress Hilary Swank just walked into the shop and bought one of my belts. That is when I realised I could make a living from it,” she says from her home-cum-studio in Rondebosch East.
“That year, I started exploring with different styles and at the end of 2008 I resigned. I was nervous and asked myself if I was making the right decision. A lot went through my mind but I have no regrets,” Rabin says.
It wasn’t easy to build her brand and clientele, but it has been worth it. Her Chimpel range has grown to include a wide selection of soft, natural and exotic leather bags, clutches and belts – mostly in crocodile and ostrich skin. It focuses on classic shapes, luxurious textures and lots of colour.
Now Rabin caters for customers around the country as well as exports to the US and Europe.
“My biggest export market is America, it has just kept me busy… they love the crocodile. Ostrich leather unfortunately is still quite pricey but I do have a specific market for it.
“Crocodile products are my biggest sellers because they look exotic and they are affordable,” says Rabin.
Her inspiration comes from everywhere, from watching local runway trends to international fashion weeks.
“I take a design and improve on it by tweaking here and there. I keep things unique… just by adding details.
“I look at colour trends as well, I love colour so I use a lot of it. It can be a basic bag but I’ll just put a little bit of colour to make it different from what is on the market,” she says.
The biggest challenge about running your own business is managing your finances and having the discipline to meet the product demand, says Rabin.
“The first five years are actual hell. The money that you have saved can only take you that far when you still have a family to support. A lot of people think that if I did it, they can do it as well.
“But you need to be quite disciplined in certain things that you do. I love nice things and I had to sacrifice and cut back on some things. You need to be very good with your finances and you need a good support structure around you.
“The first three years are a stumbling block of people getting to know and to understand your brand, that you are going to be here for a while and not just be a fly-by-night business.
“That was my biggest thing, getting my customers here and abroad to trust me and know that I will deliver on time.
“Most designers tend to overcommit themselves,” says Rabin. To see more of the Chimpel range, visit
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