One on one with Natalie Vice

Natalie Vice loves beautiful objects, which is what inspired her to start the innovative new homeware and table company Sugar and Vice. We chatted to her about all things design…

Before I started Sugar and Vice I spent all my free time drawing designs and hand making samples for what would be become the basis of Sugar and Vice. During this time, I took time out to see some of Europe and to walk the Camino de Santiago. Anybody who knows about the Camino will know it is all about a personal journey. For me that journey was about realising that owning my own business and being able to share my creativity with others is my true passion. In March of 2015 I was finally ready to focus on Sugar and Vice full time. It was scary and it took courage but I was convinced that I had to follow my heart and do what makes me truly happy.

Sugar and Vice collections are an expression of my creativity. I draw for myself the kind of designs I would like to have displayed in my own home.

From the start of Sugar and Vice I been a one man band, so I do the designing, operations, marketing, content management etc. myself, but I have a few talented friends and family that have helped with copy writing, graphic design and photography. At the moment, I have one superhero team member helping me with admin duties a few times a week, but I’m looking to expand soon into digital marketing, which will allow more time for me to spend on being creative.

I am inspired by Cape Town, Tattoo Art, Cape fauna & flora and pictures taken of patterns during my travels.

South African design is exciting and support for it is growing daily, which is highly motivating.

Decorating your home is expressing who you really are. I think it tells a story of the people who live in the house.

My favourite designers are Elsje van Niekerk , Mia Widlake and Nicki Ellis.

My favourite Sugar and Vice items are my coffee mugs, salad bowl, scatter cushions and plant pots.

In the next 5 years I look forward to extending my product range to incorporate bags, t-shirts, clocks, wall art and wallpaper, to name but a few. Eventually I would like to own a store so that I can create a beautiful space to sell my products and host fun social creative workshops. I’m also planning to partner with other artists and collaborate on new projects for limited edition products and also breaking into international markets.

Sugar and Vice can be found at various stores nationwide – have a look here.

CONTACT:

Natalie Vice, 0747 859 525, awe@sugarandvice.co.za.