The Cape Town brand Sway is my ‘housebrand’. They do hand-drawn textile design which is then printed on viscose lycra cottons and they are branching out into some linen as well. Their designs range from funky to floral and there is something for every style.
Ilse Menck’s linen clothing is classically elegant yet certainly out of the ordinary. You’ll recognise her designs at first glance. In Menck you’ll look good for work or party.
If hemp is your thing, brands like Hemporium, Veldt and The Joinery will provide you with tops, skirts and pants, patterned or plain. You’ll also find hemp jeans and denim hot pants.
Amanda Laird Cherry is a South African household name for clothes design. Her garments are unique and wearable at the same time.
Maya Prass is another doyenne of South African clothing. Gorgeous hand-drawn designs and flattering cuts, also for the more curvaceous figure, make this label a come-back-to for a signature item.
Stoned Cherrie specialises in fabrics and bespoke clothing these days.
Thabo Makheta creates beautiful, sophisticated signature items like dresses and coats.
Dillon and Jada make an entire women’s range but what stands out for me are their beautiful jackets.
Silverspoon’s range is stunning, unusual, fresh and elegant and proudly designed in the Eastern Cape.
Take Care has simple, very feminine designs, often with delicate fabrics.
Thula Sindi’s designs cover every woman’s needs from casual through career to evening wear.
Michelle Ludek designs what a friend of mine calls the ‘drapey, Greeky look’. It’s flowing fabrics with flair.
Cowgirlblues offers fluffy wool and mohair knits – just the thing for a cold Cape Town or Jozi winter.
Coast and Koi have started a fun clothing line which goes well with their outrageous shoes and boots.
Lucky Friday is a good bet if you are looking for simple T-shirts with a funky picture or message.
Vestibull makes printed women's tops with beautiful artworks.
IkaBoo Cotton is a small studio in Grabouw producing unique feminine cotton clothes.
Just Cruizin produces a comfortable 100% cotton range in natural colours. Like other South African clothes designers, they started off in Greenmarket Square and now have their own shops.
On pure web-encounters I have come across: Auburn Clothing, Hoiden, Just Nativ, Khaos-Alternative Brand, Lipstick n Lovebats, Mooi-Mooii, Natalie Creed Clothing, Selfi, Tamara Cherie Dyson and VNN.
