ICONZ

ICONZ is a cottage industry based in Cape Town, South Africa. The business was started by Leslie, the artistic force, and Gerald, the business head, some sixteen years ago at a fun fancy dress party, at which aluminum stars and moons were used to decorate costumes, tables and walls. In the aftermath of the party, there had to be a use for all those painfully cut out stars. So a pile of charity greeting cards were created. ICONZ designs are visualized by Leslie, working from her home studio in Cape Town. Leslie studied Fine Art and for her, creativity and colour is what life is all about. Her art designs all start as a concept on paper, worked and reworked until they meet very high standard of innovation and quality. The designs are then made into plates and from there to print and press. INCONZ supports its community by only employing local labor. The busy studio creates work for previously unemployed women, who work from their own homes on a piece work basis. The women hand make each piece using locally sourced aluminum, fabrics, papers and beads. Every spiral, zigzag of copper or brass is individually hand crafted, and every bead is patiently threaded to create the authentic and special handmade effect of ICONZ's work. Each piece is individually checked for quality and aesthetics, and signed by Leslie. ICONZ is careful to follow fair trade practices, and to make certain that their artisans are treated fairly and with respect.