Celebrating Authentic Design

Trevyn and Julian Mcgowan

Trevyn and Julian Mcgowan are introducing a fresh generation of local talent to the world. They are the founders of Southern Guild gallery, which has shaped the perception of the world around African design.

Embedded in the South African cultural landscape, they play integral roles in guiding, advising, and mentoring designers. The Mcgowans’ pioneering vision and insight into global design markets earned them places on the ‘POWER 100’ list of theusa Art + Auction magazine, showcasing the most influential players in the global art world, the 100 World Class South Africans, according to City Press, and Most Creative People in Business 2016, listed by Fast Company.

Trevyn and Julian set up their export company, Source, in 2003, when relocating to South Africa after 22 years in the design industry in London. They had fallen in love with the authentic, handcrafted work they found, and were passionate about sharing this artisanal homeware with the rest of the world. Over the years, the client base of Source has grown to include iconic retailers such as The Conran Shop, West Elm, Jamie Oliver, Anthropologie, ABC Carpet and Home, Bergdorf Goodman, Restoration Hardware, William Sonoma, Liberty, Sundance, and many others. Today, Source is the primary agency for the representation of South African design, facilitating the majority of design and craft exports worldwide.

In 2008, the Mcgowan’s founded Southern Guild, the sole gallery representing locally-made limited-edition designs in South Africa. Under their leadership, the gallery has redefined global perceptions of African design and escalated its value on the international market. In 2011, it became the first African gallery to present at Design Miami, and in 2015, it was the first to be featured at Christie’s, London’s annual design auction. Works by Southern Guild artists are in some of the leading private and public collections worldwide, including the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The gallery produces bespoke, site-specific commissions for clients and through its parent company, The Guild Group, offers a turn-key service overseeing architecture, interior design, and decorating. Its portfolio includes luxury safari lodges, boutique villas, commercial headquarters, and private residences in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa. The Mcgowans worked closely with Toni Tollman of Red Carnation Hotels to create one of the largest private collections of African design and art for the new Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana.

As a team, Trevyn and Julian are proud to say that they are constantly looking for a distinctive voice and a strong personal narrative, and this is clear in the creative work they promote. For more information, please visit www.southernguild.co.za.