What’s catching our eye?
We combed Design Joburg Collective’s Summer Edition to bring you some of its most novel and delightful design newbies.
The latest edition of Design Joburg Collective recently came to a close at the ever-evolving design hub of Kramerville. We were there during the four-day showcase to catch up on the local talent, new releases and exciting happenings and this latest showcase of décor, design and creativity did not disappoint.
Here’s a quick taste of what caught our eye.
A modern heirloom emerges
The talented design duo of Greg Gamble and Philippe van der Merwe are celebrating more than 20 years of being local style-shapers. You might recognise Tonic Design’s distinct work from the contemporary-luxe British Airways SLOW lounges, but besides their covetable interiors they’re also a pair of furniture designers to be reckoned with. Unveiled at DJC Summer Edition, their Cape (dining) Chair is being pitched as a contemporary collector’s piece, and we’re very much in agreement. Whilst inspired by the classics, this dining chair is undeniably modern in its execution and gets our vote for its subtle yet elegant form that nods to local heritage. We’re told we can expect more pieces to come (an armchair, for one) and will be keeping an eye out on your behalf. If you haven’t already, then be sure to pop into Tonic’s Kramerville showroom for the Peter Eastman art exhibition (running until the end of summer).
Made it to the life raft
What’s an art collaboration without a killer name?! ‘Made it to the life raft’ is a limited-edition range of silk scarves by prominent South African visual artists (think: Cinthia Sifa Mulanga, Shakil Solanki, Maja Maljević and Jana+Koos) that was unveiled at DJC Summer’s sister district – 44 Stanley. This cross-section of fashion and art is a joint initiative by L’MAD Collection and Latitudes Online, the former being a luxury label that works with select contemporary African artists to create covetable, limited-edition garments, accessories, and bespoke collections from natural fabrics. The ethos behind the brand is to celebrate cutting-edge design from across the continent and their latest offering is certainly that.
www.latitudes.online and www.guillotinebylisajaffe.com
Aldeco comes to St Leger & Viney
St Leger & Viney also welcomed a brand-new addition to their killer international stable; Aldeco – the Portuguese fabric house based in Porto, will bring an ultra-luxe, bold and sophisticated edge to the current and already fabulous St Leger mix of premium fabrics and wallcoverings. With that, two of Aldeco’s new releases, unveiled at DJC Summer include the African Inspired Burkina In/Outdoor range with its West African graphic woven in indulgent jacquard and a 28-year-anniversary collection of their all-time greatest wallpaper hits, named Walldeco 1. The 18-design collection features a glut of bold, playful and unforgettable florals and geometrics that channel the heart of this Portuguese brand.
Emerging from the chrysalis
If DJC Summer was anything to go by, Cocoon Lifestyle’s Bilala Mabuza remains a force in the local design scene. She and her team released their deliciously voluptuous furniture collection – aptly named ‘Curve’ – and we’re here for it. Developed just to coincide with Design Joburg Collective’s Summer Edition, The Curve collection boasts bold concepts, cool tones and tactile forms. Statement-making, organic shapes embrace the body – providing designed-to-unwind comfort. It might come as no surprise, given the brand name, that the collection feels, well…cocooning. The pieces in the range bear names like Butterfly (an armchair that is undoubtedly one of our favourites), Cocoon Sofa and Chair and the Pupa ottoman, with strong references to nature and a love of the organic.
