A new ‘incubator store’ at the Watershed at V&A Waterfront is selling denim artware, leather pieces and other designer surprises.
Design Lab collaborated with the V&A Waterfront, Business and Arts South Africa, and the Craft and Design Institute to give eight brands a year’s retail industry experience.in the Watershed, a market space at the V&A Waterfront.. The incubator store sells proudly ‘Made in Cape Town’ products with some of the entrepreneurs coming from Langa.
Anele Nono designs authentic denim pieces under his label, Jeanius Platform. Named after Jean Michel Bascquiat. Nono’s wearable art keeps important stories and pieces of history alive like his recent collection inspired by King Langalibalele.
They join 156 other tenants of the Watershed, which sells sought-after African brands, among others.
Nondwe Nyathi is a self-taught designer and founder of her own jewellery brand. Nondwe born in the Eastern Cape now living in Cape Town makes pieces that resemble African aesthetics. She wears her ‘Solid Circle Neckpiece’ R 1 045
All the traders at the space put together make up 365 brands selling an assortment of jewellery, ceramics, textiles, furniture, and more. “The Watershed is the ultimate teething ground for new creative businesses. It is a beautiful and vibrant space at South Africa’s top tourism destination,” says the Institute.
Initiated in April 2021 the programme rotates the stores annually with the focal point being to provide businesses with training and mentorship. After one year the hope is that the current cohort of brands will be ready to open their own stand-alone stores making room for a new cohort to enter the programme.
“The Design Lab programme allows us to extend the opportunity for emerging retailers to test their product in a real-world environment. Through this, it builds a new range of talented entrepreneurs accessing market at the V&A Waterfront,” states Alex Kabalin, retail executive manager at the V&A Waterfront
See article in BUSINESS INSIDER South Africa
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