Partner Profile | Mary Unique Designs

Partner Profile · 2026

Handmade bags in African fabrics — and skills and income for women across Kenya.

Founder: Mary Nduta
Based in: Nairobi, Kenya
Journey: 17 years, from the Global Bag Project
Focus: Women’s economic empowerment

500+Women trained

300+Families supported

17Years of training

VillagesAcross Kenya

01Who we are

Mary Unique Designs is a Nairobi-based enterprise founded by Mary Nduta. Mary began as a seamstress in the Global Bag Project, working alongside Linda Renner to design sturdy, reusable shopping bags in colourful kanga fabric. The income paid for her family’s food and her children’s school fees — and showed her what a practical skill could make possible.

Today Mary leads her own business: she makes and sells handmade bags, and she travels to villages across Kenya to train women in skills they can use to earn a living.

02What we do

Handmade bags & more

Shopping totes, canvas totes, sling bags, handbags and pouches in kitenge and kanga prints — plus quilts and made-to-measure clothing.

Skills training

Hands-on training in villages: measuring and cutting, machine sewing and finishing, quality, and costing and selling.

Market access

Connecting makers with customers through the online store, home parties and orders from organisations.

03How the business sustains itself

Product revenue

Online store — orders placed through the website and confirmed on WhatsApp
Home parties — supporters showcase the bags to friends and family
Organisational events — bags for conferences, gifts and group orders

Funding & partnerships

Kept separate from product sales. Funding expands what the enterprise can do beyond its own revenue.

04Partnership opportunities

Partner	How you can help
Funders & foundations	Fund training trips and cohorts, sewing machines and equipment, or market-access activities.
Companies & organisations	Order bags for events, staff and client gifts, or conferences.
Retailers & stockists	Stock a distinctive Kenyan-made product with a story behind it.
Individuals	Host a home party, buy a bag, or share Mary’s story.

05The collection

Shopping tote in a red and yellow paisley print — **Kitenge Shopping Tote**7 prints

Black canvas tote with a giraffe appliqué in kitenge print and a beaded keyring charm — **Africa Appliqué Tote**3 designs

Yellow foldable shopping bag with a patch of African print — **Foldable Shopping Bag**Many colours

Green canvas tote with a band of yellow and black African print — **Colour-Block Canvas Tote**Several colours

Black canvas tote framed with turquoise, orange and yellow kitenge triangles — **Kitenge-Trim Canvas Tote**Totes & Shoppers

Three matching totes in large, medium and small sizes, in a black-and-white print with red trim — **Tote Trio**Set of 3

Four crossbody sling bags with long fabric straps in different African prints — **Crossbody Sling Bag**10 prints

Zip-top barrel handbag in an indigo and white print with a matching coin purse — **Barrel Handbag & Coin Purse**With coin purse

Zip pouches in bright solid colours with a diamond patch of African print — **Zip Pouches & Purses**Many styles

Fabric star ornaments in many kitenge prints, each with a ribbon loop — **Kitenge Christmas Ornaments**Stars, trees & stockings

Two garlands of kitenge stars, trees and stockings on red ribbon — **Kitenge Garlands & Bunting**Garlands & bunting

Small tote bags with handles in a wide mix of African prints — **Mini Gift Totes**Many prints

Bed quilt with a bold red border framing a red-and-white printed centre — **Bordered Bed Quilt**Home & Clothing

Off-shoulder dress with a ruffled neckline and full skirt in a blue and gold kitenge print — **Kitenge Off-Shoulder Dress**Made to measure

Prints vary with each roll of fabric. Prices and bulk quotes on request.