Art meets fashion in design initiative
SINCE the Covid-19 outbreak, many businesses, especially in the creative sector, have been badly affected. They couldn’t keep up with the lockdown regulations and the best way to keep afloat was to collaborate.
Three South African creatives, Dylan Joseph of Semper Fortis, Cara Saven of Cara Saven Wall Design and Tshepo Mohlala of Tshepo Jeans, have collaborated to launch the #WeDesignSA initiative.
The project pivots off the bespoke Halcyon design created by wallpaper artist Cara Saven.
The collaboration started when Joseph met Saven at the top of Table Mountain. Together they unveiled the #WeLoveSA banner.
“After the incredible response that Dylan and I saw to the banner of love, we decided that like-minded entrepreneurs could make a difference to the negative sentiment that exists for many South Africans,” explains Saven.
“We wanted to find a way to continue the message of hope, but in the actual design work we do, hence we started with a wall design that encompassed elements from all over South Africa into a wallpaper and fabric that is fantastical and happy and optimistic.”
Saven’s print consists of beautiful floral-scape resplendent with South African proteas, aloes, grapes and a kingfisher.
According to her, the bird has the power to calm the waves, soaring high above turbulence to instil peace and birth a new future.
“This collaboration is informed by all our roots. I am a Capetonian at heart and am naturally inspired by nature. My contribution has a mythical undertone but is essentially bright and brave and very much reflective of the South African spirit,” she says.
The bespoke print is also in a fabric used to cover the Semper Fortis Prana chair.
Meanwhile, Mohlala used it to create a jumpsuit to pay homage to the South African entrepreneurs who strive to make it work regardless of the challenges they face.
“South Africans are naturally resilient and entrepreneurial. This ’70s-inspired garment is designed to exude the presence and confidence of the woman wearing it,” says the Johannesburg-based designer.
The #WeDesignSA pieces first exhibited in Kramerville at Design Joburg Collective last weekend.
This week, they are being showcased at the Tshepo Jeans retail space in Hyde Park Corner.