Umhlanga, Personalised

If you’ve ever admired the menus at Mary & Joe, lingered over the details on Mitéra’s bathroom walls, or noticed the mural tucked inside Big Fish, you’ve already met the work of Fathima Kathrada – even if you didn’t know it yet.

Fathima Kathrada is the owner and creative behind Fathima’s Studio. After working in the design industry for several years across web design, magazines and social media, she launched her own business in 2012. She studied Graphic Design at DUT and has since evolved her practice to include art and illustration.

Today, Fathima provides creative solutions across live art at events, murals, textiles, wall art, packaging, and more. “My brand ethos has always been about solving creative problems with integrity, professionalism, originality and a hand-crafted approach,” says Fathima. “I thrive on variety and love that I get to work in so many different areas of creativity with amazing people who share those values.”

Over the years, she has worked with luxury brands and businesses across the country. Many of her projects can be seen along Umhlanga’s buzzing Chartwell Drive at Mitéra, Big Fish, Mary & Joe, Steak & Oyster, and 14 on Chartwell. Her work included logo design, menus, custom hand lettering, murals, and other branding collateral. These were collaborative projects where the owners had a clear vision of what they wanted, and they worked together to bring their ideas to life.

Two of Fathima’s favourites are the Mitéra and Big Fish bathrooms. “The Mitéra bathroom might look like wallpaper at first glance but was entirely hand-painted,” says Fathima. “I loved the client’s vision for this and am so grateful for this opportunity. This was both time- and physically intensive, and incredibly enjoyable to work on.”

At Mary & Joe, the branding features custom hand lettering – not a font – both in the logo and in the phrases used throughout. “I’m so grateful for clients who have an appreciation for these customised personal touchpoints that add subtle, tangible richness to the overall feel and experience,” she says.

Project timelines vary, but most are completed over a few weeks. “Sometimes we hit the nail on the head early on, and it goes quickly, and sometimes it requires a little more fine-tuning to get it just right,” says Fathima. Her process is collaborative and iterative. “I work with my clients throughout the process to ensure the end result is exactly what they want, meets their needs and is something they are happy and proud to move forward with,” she says.

So next time you’re in Umhlanga, take a second look. Behind the coffee menus, the bathroom walls, and the lettering on the windows, you’ll find the human footprint of one artist. In a world of mass-produced design, Fathima’s work reminds us that the most memorable spaces are the ones made by hand.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fathimasstudio/