Local is lekker!

Over the last few years the number of local fabric producers has increased exponentially. I personally find this new offering of fabrics to be as unique and exciting as they are diverse.

You no longer need to play it safe, covering your cushions, couches and chairs with plain, neutral colours – you now have a bold kaleidoscope of colourful African-inspired fabrics from which to choose!

And with the new trend of up-scaling one needn’t replace old, worn furniture – but rather give them a dramatic new lease-on-life by reupholstering.

Here are just a few of many proudly South African fabric designers who are making their mark in the industry:

The Silk and Cotton Co. – Their new Urban Poetry collection captures the cement, the pavement, the spray paint and the swagger of the street vendor… it turns them into fabrics that shimmer, pulse and reflect an urban, African experience.

Fabricnation – Fabricnation produces and markets a textile collection that presently includes 16 prints designed variously by Jann Cheifitz and Jane Solomon. Jane and Jann are inspired by the African textile tradition, rendered in a modern urban context with its blending of diverse sources and influences to create the fabric of a nation. New designs are added to the collection every six to twelve months. All fabrics (as far as possible) are made and printed in South Africa.

Skinny laMinx – When asked to describe the brand aesthetic, Moore explains that, “Skinny laMinx style is clean and clear, with a broad appeal. There’s a feeling of Scandinavian simplicity, pared-down Japanese restraint, and South African exuberance all rolled into one fresh and distinctive style.”

So Kiff – Their designs are about having fun and being playful. “We have designed a range that is infused with bright bold colors and dynamic movement. South Africa’s vibrant people, cultural idiosyncrasies, humor and passion for life is our inspiration” explains co-owner Rose Harman. This is seen in the So Kiff South African Dancer range where movement is depicted through stop frame images of dancers in motion. The design range depicts a gumboot dancer, an African mama doing the ‘Pata Pata’ dance, a girl spinning in motion and a young boy playing with his soccer ball.