Pan-African fashion
Artclub and Friends has been on our radar for quite some time now, but the Cape Town brand is making even bigger waves in 2019. Creative director and founder Robyn Keyser gives us more insight.
Featuring Artclub and Friends
Artclub and Friends has been making waves on our radar for three years now. How did it all start?
I registered Artclub in November 2016 with no funding and no experience in running a business, which led to me realising I was out of my depth. I spent the next year working as a stylist in the industry to gain some capital and knowledge before jumping back in.
Why the name Artclub and Friends?
Artclub and Friends came to me when thinking about what people inspire me most. I was thinking back to the ‘art kids’ in the school I went to growing up. They were always oeat; a little strange, but always themselves. I loved that. And so, the name came about as a reminder to always create with others, to always come from a place of authenticity.
What are some of your proudest moments as a designer and business owner?
I’ll never forget showcasing for the first time at SA Fashion Week in 2018 as a New Talent Search finalist. Creating looks for the runway is exhilarating and I can’t wait to do it again. Another very special moment happened this year with the AFI Xperience showcase, in which I got to create some pieces for Riky Rick. I love working with artists and seeing my pieces come to light on stage.
You’ve come out with some amazing collaborations over the last three years. What’s your process when it comes to collaborating?
Like many creators, my process is based on emotions. And when collaborating, my process begins when I meet someone who has an important message to share that resonates with me. From there, anything is possible when there’s a common purpose. I’m a frustrated artist, so working with artists of dierent mediums is a huge privilege. I get to live in their worlds for a bit.
Tell me about your design process. Who/what inspires you to create the collections you come out with?
I’m often inspired by the people around me. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by how lucky I am to be living in a time where young people are so fiercely chasing their dreams. I’m inspired by the many faces around me that are changing our creative landscape by addressing important issues that are often too dicult to broach. I’m also inspired by the pieces I’ve always yearned for but never found. Bringing these into existence is a very special experience for me. Artclub and Friends has shown at SAFW and AFI now
– how was that experience? Do you intend to show collections at other fashion weeks in the future?
Runway is where we get to live out our wildest dreams as designers. However, I feel the way fashion weeks are structured globally doesn’t work in a South African market. My customers are cost-sensitive and need to connect to what I do. Taking this into consideration, I’m exploring additional ways to express what we do on platforms that make more sense for young kids who want to support Artclub and Friends.
Where do you see Artclub and Friends in the next few years? My dream is to become SA’s most beloved home for art and fashion. I hope to inspire a change in how South Africans view and support local designers. There are so many exceptionally talented designers right here on our doorstep, but they can’t survive and grow without our community changing their wardrobes from international to local. Every purchase we make is a vote for the world we’d like to live in one day. With both vision and courage, our journey will lead us to a point where we can help facilitate this process for other young designers. I’ll use everything I learn to help others out. I can’t wait for that.
“Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by how lucky I am to be living in a time where young people are so ercely chasing their dreams”
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