Meet the Team
CLAIRE
KOMPANEROBOSS | since 2016
Claire has worked in the fashion industry for over 35 years, collecting experience in retail, wholesale, manufacturing and importing.
Claire created Chikala Imports in 2016 where she started designing and importing Kompanero handbags. She has grown this business from importing a handful of bags a season to now supplying over 300 stores across Australia and New Zealand with quality products.
Outside of being a ‘Boss’, Claire will be found traveling the world and also pursuing her passion in developing and sourcing products from all corners of the globe.
STEPH
KOMPANEROMANAGER | since 2018
Steph is the bones of the Chikala Imports head office, the one we all go to for just about EVERYTHING.
Steph comes from a sales background, working as a sales rep for over 5 years and office admin for 10. She is an extremely hard worker and keeps not only the office organised but her colleagues as well.
In her spare time, Steph is a machine at her boxing gym and shares two adorable little girls with her husband.
ALEKS
KOMPANERODESIGNER | since 2021
Aleks completed her studies in Footwear & Accessory design in 2018 at the world renowned design school, Polimoda in Italy.
Working overseas before coming home to Australia where she continued working as a designer, she grew her portfolio and experience in the industry. Moving interstate from Melbourne to Brisbane, she has now joined the Kompanero Team!
Aleks’ role within the company is to work closely with Claire to design each season, coming up with new patterns, shapes and textures season after season. Aleks also manages the Kompanero website, Graphics and assists with Social Media. She sometimes dabbles in a little modelling when our beloved model Fatima needs some company!
FATIMA
KOMPANEROMODEL | since 2019
Fatima is the face of Kompanero! Her fun spirited personality and kind heart brings everything we want Kompanero to represent to life.
Fatima describes herself as a “mixed bag of lollies”, being half South African (with Indonesian heritage) and half Austrian. She is now a Mama to 2 little girls she shares with her French partner, making her family that little bit more diverse!
Fatima modelled in South Africa before returning back to Australia where she now raises her two little girls and models for us every season.