(and Dokter)
we put out our own unique ideas again and again (which is easier said than done) clients will start accepting these ideas, rather than expecting you to replicate trends or another designer’s work,” says Hugo.
They also believe that since then South Africans have started embracing bold designs more.
“South Africans in general really appreciate design.
“I sure have done my time explaining the difference between mass produced, trend-driven products and what we do and people have come to appreciate that design is actually about original ideas and pieces that will last more than a lifetime rather than fast, low-quality throwaway fads,” says Taplin.
But Joburg’s urban setting, where they are based and were established, played a role in what they produce. Hugo says their pieces aren’t conceived with a specific place in mind, but living and breathing in Joburg means that the city is in them and their work.
“In recent years there has been far more of an awareness of design and support for local design which is good.
“On the down side, with increased access to information, ideas are shared, pinned and posted more easily and the value of intellectual property can be lost.
“I think that we South Africans should only accept original ideas and support the struggling designers who came up with these ideas wherever possible,” Hugo says.
After 10 years the demand for their products hasn’t subsided, in fact, they are moving to a new showroom in Braamfontein soon. Part of that might be because although Dokter and Misses items can be considered modernist, they are also timeless.
Hugo says that when perusing the Dokter and Misses catalogue you need to think about the spaces you intend to put each item in, but more importantly who you want to hand it down to eventually.