Seychelles’ tradition is linked with the rich natural environment of the archipelago. Juliette Dine has emerged as one of the few artisans reviving the nearly forgotten art of Vakwa. Her journey is one full of art, a place where culture and craft are a story of passion that has grown into a purposeful business.
Juliette comes from a family where creativity runs deep. From painters to photographers and tailors, artistry was part of her everyday life. As a child, she spent time around Anse Aux Pins Church, where she served as an altar server and discovered her first spark of inspiration. It was during this time that she learned to make nylon bags under the guidance of Madame May Gabrielle.
That moment changed everything. She brought her newfound skill home, where her grandmother took it a step further, introducing her to Vakwa. With patience and wisdom, her grandmother taught her how to source, dry, and braid the leaves into durable and attractive bags. At just 14, Juliette made her first Vakwa bag, which stood the test of time for over a decade, a testament to the strength and longevity of the material.
After pausing her craft to pursue journalism, Juliette worked in the media industry for several years. But in 2020, something changed. She noticed that Vakwa bags, once common in Seychellois households, were disappearing from the market. Many artisans had stopped producing them, and local shops no longer stocked them as they once did.
At the age of 28, she decided to turn her craft into a business. She saw an opportunity not only to preserve a tradition but to revive it in a modern and marketable way. With encouragement from early clients, Juliette brought Vakwa back into the spotlight, developing her models and styles that blended heritage with innovation.
“There weren’t enough Vakwa bags in the market. I knew I had to take it seriously, bring it back, and give it a new life,” shares Julliette. Seychelles is home to different types of Vakwa: Vakwa sak, Vakwa larivyer, and Vakwa parasol. Of these, Juliette prefers Sakwa sak, known for its strength and durability. But sourcing the material is a challenge. Her trees are ageing, and although she has planted new ones, the supply is still limited. Buying from the Environment Department costs around SCR 3 per leaf, and with transportation and weather risks, the production cost rises significantly.
Drying the leaves is another laborious task. Juliette learned that using sheds, a common practice in places like Réunion, was not ideal in the Seychellois climate. Moisture would ruin the leaves, causing dark patches and making them unusable. “It may seem old-fashioned, but direct sunlight is still the best method. It works, and it respects the material,” says Juliette.
In 2021, Juliette joined the “Granmer Savoir Fer” program at Domaine Val de Pres, where she connected with other elder artisans. Under the mentorship of Madame Marianne Adrienne, she expanded her skills further, learning to create dantel, “sak par de”, and other traditional crafts. Her previous experience made it easier to pick up new techniques, and she soon began developing her versions.
Today, she produces a range of items, including bags, bracelets, earrings, and keyrings, all handmade and each telling a story. Despite her success, Juliette is still a one-woman operation. She collects, prepares, weaves, and markets everything herself. Her dream is to build a team and implement a structured production system, similar to those in Madagascar, where duties are divided: one person prepares the leaves, another weaves, and another sells. This line-duty system not only improves efficiency but also provides employment.
“Right now, I pay myself a worker’s salary. I’ve already planned for how the business can grow with salaries, work hours, and roles. I just need to reach that stage,” she explained with guidance from her mentor. Juliette has also begun formalising her business, setting product prices, planning systems, and mapping out the future. Her background in business administration and marketing, paired with her artistic flair, gives her a unique edge.
“Tourists won’t travel for what they can find anywhere. They come for what’s unique, and our crafts are part of that uniqueness,” says Juliette. Her workshops at Domaine Val de Pres attract both tourists and locals. Visitors can learn how to make small items like bracelets or keyrings, an introduction to the Vakwa craft that leaves a lasting impression.
