A round-up of our style finds from our 12 days of Christmas countdown…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … to shop! We’ve got some seriously enviable stocking-fillers for you stylistas. First up: this Paris travel bag from Lucy & Muffet.
Operating out of a small studio in Woodstock, Lucy & Muffet designer Nazeem Manuel makes bags and luggage from repurposed materials such as vintage army canvas and ‘dead stock’ leather, as well as wool tweed, denim and other preloved fabric. Small repairs, errors and the natural wear of the fabric give each piece a unique feel.
Cost R3 500
Get it at hellopretty.co.za
Next up on our #12daysofXmas list for all you stylistas who’ve been good this year: this incredible Pierre Cronje puzzle bench.
Pierre Cronje began restoring furniture 25 years ago, expanding his company to a staff complement of 200 later when South African consumers began to realise the investment potential of quality furniture.
Pierre is known for creating solid-wood pieces with design and construction integrity that are nothing if not aesthetically pleasing.
Cost Price on request (custom build)
Get it at Southern Guild, Unit 1, 10–16 Lewin Street, Woodstock
Please welcome up-and-coming designer swimwear label Garwood & Grace, a range of tailored swim shorts for guys. Released just in time for the Cape’s blazing summer, they have a distinct ‘just stepped off my yacht’ appeal. The shorts are aptly named The Clifton and The Camps Bay – pretty much perfect to hit the beach in.
The designs are bold, spontaneous and fun, and not without a little attitude. ‘Because we believe in embracing the same spirit at the beach, the pool, the bar or wherever the summer takes you.’
Cost R1 600
Get it at garwoodandgrace.com
Ross Symons, also known as White on Rice, is an origami artist based in Cape Town. After folding paper for a number of years he started enjoying it so much that he wanted to turn it into a career and share his love for origami.
Along with making cranes, planes and origami mobiles, he makes a range of origami lampshades like this one.
If you’re on Instagram, follow his account @white_onrice for his 365 day origami project. It’s a winner.
Cost R500
Get it at hellopretty.co.za
Dear Rae, based at the Woodstock Foundry, is a popular local range of handmade jewellery made up of natural lines and simple forms. The new collection, Lets Get Tropsi, is fresh, feminine and fun.
This watermelon ring makes a perfect gift for someone special, or a Christmas treat for yourself.
Cost R385
Get it at dearrae.co.za
Amateur or aspiring photographers, add this to your wish list: instaLens allows you to express your photographic skill and creativity in a variety of ways. Each lens attaches to your iPhone, Android or tablet quickly and easily for awesome photographic effects.
Make your December holiday one to remember with unique photographs that capture it all. Cape Town is both the point of inception and the underlying inspiration for the instaLens collection.
Cost R299
Get it at www.instalens.co
ArtVraat was established in 2013 when co-owners Jaques Botha and Janes Meyer, after ruminating on the idea to start their own interior business, launched ArtVraat Designs. It offers a designer range of fabrics completed by products such as scatter cushions, curtains, tablecloths, napkins and lamps shades.
But we love the original origami bird fabric buckets. The buckets are screenprinted in waterbased inks on a cotton/linen blend basecloth, and make for a great succulent plant holder.
Cost R120
Get it at www.artvraatdesigns.com
Born out of the creative partnership of industrial designer Altus van Zijl and Brigitte Hauptfleisch, SUTLA Design specialises in furniture, product and interiors.
Their work is both sustainable and on-trend, made locally with careful attention to detail. The Kiba bar stool is evidence of this, with a Scandi feel of clean lines and the option to add a pop of colour on the finishes.
Cost R1 600
Get it at sutladesign.co.za
Bring out the inner child in you with these giant Lego inspired soaps from the Little Trading Co. These large Lego men soaps are fun to play with and get you clean at the same time.
Little Trading Co. have a range of products with a nostalgic and retro feel – with a contemporary twist. The perfect gift shop for young, old, male or female, all items are handmade to order right here in South Africa.
These Lego soaps are made using unscented glycerin and look just like a toy, complete with the eyes and smile.
Cost R120
Get it at littletradingcompany.co.za
‘Hamba’ means ‘to go’ in Zulu. Cape Town designer Louw Roets has adapted this word into a wall clock, as time never stops and is always on the move. The clock is made from solid Kiaat wood combined with high grade rope, and its masculinity is the ideal gift for a man this Christmas.
‘I like to create contrast with my products and find that the combination of man-made rope and natural wood does this well,’ he says. Creating products that are conceptually and visually alluring is Louw Roets’ talent, and he is drawn to forms that are unusual or unconventional.
The available colours are black, red, yellow and white.
Cost R995
Get it at louwroets.someammo.com
Complete your gifts with a stylish gift tag from Skinny laMinx.
This year, Cape Town based Skinny laMinx founder Heather Moore introduces a cheerful range of ‘North/South’ festive gift tags. The two versions of the same design allows you to send appropriate seasonal greetings around the world, whether it’s deep winter or blazing summertime.
Cost R40
Get it at shop.skinnylaminx.com
Our 12 days of Christmas gift guide is up. Before we conclude, Meraki Jewellery Design is just the gift to finish things off.
Each Meraki Jewellery piece is handcrafted by Cape Town based designer, Megan Keyser. Using raw stones, sterling silver and recycled brass, Megan creates delicate, timeless pieces that draw inspiration from geometric forms in nature, her travels and an appreciation for well made objects and heirlooms.
We love this brass bead necklace, and we bet the lady in your life will too. Merry Christmas, or should we say, Merry Meraki!
Cost R400
Get it at merakijewellerydesign.com
