Product Design | Dish Covers
In 2012, I created a product that didn’t yet exist: the reusable printed cotton dish cover. What began as a solution to a personal kitchen problem became a bestselling niche product that defined SpaZa’s brand. Demand for the product was instant and grew rapidly—first on Etsy, then through global retailers—leading to the launch of Halo Dish Covers. Thirteen years later, it remains Spaza's signature line, known for being both beautiful and functional.
Brand Strategy
Opportunity
When I first listed dish covers on Etsy, there were no comparable products. They were a huge hit at retail in South Africa, and I knew that the same kinds of customers would be on Etsy in the USA. The problem was clear—people hated buying and using plastic wrap, but there was no easy, let alone aesthetically pleasing, alternative. The challenge was: how do you sell something people don’t know they need yet? I had to build awareness from scratch—educating consumers through social media and e-commerce content, and designing supporting materials that explained how to use them at a glance.
Product Strategy
Product Development
Early versions of the dish cover were quite complicated and time-consuming to make in home workshops, so I worked closely with producers to create a system that was efficient, scalable, and fair. I addressed challenges around consistency, fit, and quality by developing the simplest possible method to ensure the product remained affordable. Expanding the range into multi-size and shape packs helped increase customer value. I designed packaging that was compact, informative, and plastic-free—easy to ship and appealing in stores. Styled photography, demo videos, and display ideas helped retailers and customers understand the value instantly.
RETail Strategy
Impact and Outcomes
Today, fabric dish covers are a popular category on platforms like Etsy—but in 2012, we were the first. By catering to the largest buying demographic—women aged 25 to 60—with a product that was both beautiful and practical, we offered a meaningful alternative to single-use plastic. What began as a simple kitchen solution grew into a movement, driving behaviour change and supporting jobs in South African home industries. I developed product lines around the dish cover to boost sales and return business, and worked closely with retailers to help them display and sell it effectively. It’s not just a product—it’s what put SpaZa on the map.
Real Product Strategy. Real Results.
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Over 1 Million Dish Covers Sold
Since 2012, our reusable fabric dish covers have reached households in more than 20 countries—proving that small changes in the kitchen can lead to big shifts in behaviour.
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Over 78 Million Metres of Plastic Wrap Saved
Since 2012, SpaZa’s reusable dish covers have replaced an estimated 78,000 kilometres of plastic wrap—the equivalent of circling the Earth nearly twice.
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5,000+ Five-Star Reviews
With thousands of glowing reviews on Etsy and the SpaZa Store website, our dish covers are loved for their practicality, beauty, and the fact that