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A fan exclaimed: “Elsje of Elsje Designs is more than dynamic, she is dynamite - a powerful package of drive, doing and dizzy ideas. Colour, design, fashion, trends, calligraphy and paper ignites her passions and her joy of joys is to create something new and creative from nothing more than an idea.”

Elsje (Owner) opened her studio in 2001. It all started sedately enough with a BA (Stellenbosch), graphic design (Stellenbosch), management development (US Business School), journalism (Cape Technikon), art classes and calligraphy courses and as life also consists of friends, wine and food, she completed Diploma I at the Cape Wine Academy. She worked for the Public Relations Division of Stellenbosch Farmers’ Wineries (now Distell, South Africa’s largest wine conglomerate), where she was responsible for the graphic design of invitations, programmes, advertisements, posters, brochures, wine labels, and more. After eight years Elsje’s entrepreneurial genes caused the creation of Elsje Designs.  Since the company has grown and developed at a rapid pace, these days she loves to widen her leadership skills and invest a lot of her time in executive coaching sessions and trend-spotting - her first love!

Everything at Elsje Designs is handmade, unique and original with the focus on each client's needs and identity. The team strives to be on the forefront of international décor and fashion trends, always developing fresh ideas.

Wide media coverage and positive referrals by clients ensured that the demand for Elsje Designs’ paper art, graphic design and styling has increased to such an extent that they had to expand. The creativity and expertise of the additional team members is a great gain for our clients.

Annemie (studio manager) studied Fashion Design at CPUT, and worked as a buyer for Truworths for almost three years before taking a leap and venturing into the graphic design world. She loves all areas of design, including interiors, architecture, fashion – and of course pretty graphics! She is married to an architect, Mitch, and the two of them spend most of their time exploring cool shops around Cape Town, and thinking of new ways to add eclectic glamour to their home. At Elsje Designs, she manages the day to day activities and planning of the studio, as well as the costings and quotes – so better get into her good books!