Cape Town is a Mecca for African art sourced both locally and from around the rest of Africa.  It is important to bear in mind that in addition to African “curios” and locally designed items, our shopping is much like the shopping you would find in the rest of the world.  Imported clothing incurs a high import tariff and for this reason you are likely to find “branded” items cheaper in your own country.  However, if you enjoy African arts and crafts,  you will have lots of fun in our city as there is an endless supply.  Cape Town is also a great hub for creative people, many of whom have chosen to relocate to our city.  So simply by walking the city you will find creativity on every corner.  Give yourself time to explore!

Shopping Zones!

1. The V&A Waterfront –  This is a shopping hub built around a working harbour.  It is well worth heading down here to explore, shop, eat, drink and to listen to the buskers playing music while you stroll around.  The advantage of doing your shopping here is that generally these shops source only the highest quality African artefacts and curios – this saves time as you do not have to dig through every item and check that the quality. There is a lovely atmosphere in the Waterfront. Make sure you exit from the big mall and walk towards the Clock Tower side of the Waterfront, there are many shops on the way that are well worth checking out. The shops selling African goodies are too numerous to mention. Of note in the Waterfront are some uniquely South African made products that are worth checking out. Rain near the main entrance makes glorious body & bath products using natural ingredients with African botanicals.  Next door to Rain you will find Africology, offering a natural, eco-friendly and holistic spa and skincare range that is fragranced with pure essential oils and smells amazing!  Note that Woolworths in South Africa is not related to the Woolworths group overseas, it was opened by Marks & Spencer’s in South Africa and as such is our most upmarket food retailer in the country.  This is essential knowledge for those who are here for longer stays and plan to participate in Cape Town’s favourite activity – watching the sunset with a picnic and excellent wine/champers! MADE IN SA – is a gorgeous proudly South African shop that is beautifully merchandised plus has some local contemporary design as well as beautifully made crafts.  I love it!! They are in the main mall – in the same avenue as the main supermarket Pick n’Pay.  This little gem is well worth popping into.  There is no website.  Store number is Shop 6194, Tel 021 4194246.  Nestled between the harbour basins and the cruise terminal is the Silo District. The old towering grain silo complex, originally built in 1921 has been converted into the Zeitz MOCAA, Africa’s largest art museum.  The Gallery shop alone is worth a visit, with a beautifully curated selection of African craft & design.  Above the Zeitz MOCAA is the Silo Hotel, a boutique hotel with stunning views of the Cape Town Skyline.  The District also houses the Southern Guild Gallery and Shop, founded in 2008 as the sole gallery representing locally made limited-edition design. Next door you’ll find luxury leather & fashion designer Kat van Duinen.
   Also worth a visit at the V&A is The Watershed Market, It is the home of South African design, featuring 150 small businesses with great design offerings including ceramics, textiles, furniture, fashion and arts & crafts. It is located on Dock Road, next to the  Two Oceans Aquarium.   Mungo & Jemima is for shoppers of all ages, it has been the home for proudly South African clothing designers since 2008.

Track down Beloved Beadwork for beautiful original jewellery crafted from tiny glass beads.

2.  Bo Kaap area (just off Buitengracht Street in the city) – the Cape Malay quarter.

The Bo-Kaap is located in the city bowl.  It is the only area where people of colour were not forcefully removed during apartheid.  It is home to our Cape Muslim community.  The area is one of Cape Town’s most beautiful suburbs and boasts wonderful brightly coloured houses.   The area is turning into a hub of community projects and Fair Trade projects.

3.  CITY:

3.1 Green Market Square – This square was originally the first fruit and vegetable market in the Cape – hence the name Green Market Square.  Today it is our local flea market.  The emphasis of the market is predominantly on African goods and art.  The main tip I can give you here is to remember to barter.  The first price you get is never the real price.  A second reminder is that these people do not earn very much and as such, do not barter to the point where you know the guy is not making a bit of a profit.  My feeling is that when I visit a foreign country I want to leave a little something behind that benefits the locals from my visit.  The square is located in the heart of the old part of town between Longmarket and Shortmarket streets.  It is well worth a visit and is surrounded by lovely cafes where you can enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine (or two!)

3.2 Church Street

This is a little pedestrianized zone one block up from Green Market square (walking in the direction of Table Mountain).  Here this little bricked avenue has a mixture of antique and bric a brac people plying their trade, plus a mix of art galleries and arty stores.  It is well worth checking out and also stopping for a coffee at Cafe Mozart (note this is brilliant for people watching, is quirky and the food is great!)  In this avenue you will find:

• African Image – corner of Church and Burg – this is an awesome African product store and is one that I head to when I am looking for creative African gift ideas.
• Chandler House – this charming little shop come gallery celebrates a growing family of inspiring local artists and makers. Shelves are stocked with homeware and gifts, unique antiques, objets d’art, handwoven textiles, and a selection of artworks by established and emerging artists.
• Cape Gallery – an interesting – if fairly conventional – collection of South African artworks – it rambles and it is quite fun to head in and explore.  60 Church Street
• Association of Visual Arts – AVA for short!  This funky little gallery is a non-profit, membership-based art organisation whose aim is the advancement of visual art.
  

3.3 Long Street

Long Street has always been a hub for shopping in the city of Cape Town.  In addition, it has some of our oldest and most beautiful buildings.  To get a proper feel for the street and its architecture, start walking up Long Street from Strand street towards the mountain.  Long street is home to funky little shops all the way along and it is fun to explore.  It also has loads of coffee and lunch spots and is the nightlife hub of the city.  Note that Lola’s is an institution on Long Street – it is a vegetarian restaurant which attracts a really interesting mix of people – well worth stopping for a coffee or a veggie juice and watching the eccentric locals.  A few of the interesting stores in Long Street:

• Tribal Trends: This is my absolute favourite for upmarket African designed items and art.  This store has the highest quality merchandise out of all of the stores I have visited.  Many of the items are large and can be used for interior décor – if I had the budget I would have bought half the store already.  Tel: 021 423 8008. Address: 72 – 74 Long Street (very close to Green Market Square)
• The African Music Store: This store has a fantastic range of African music.  It may be a little more expensive than the big music stores – but they offer wonderful warm assistance while in the store.  The staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly.  It is definitely a little gem of a store and is well worth a visit.  134 Long Street
• Merchants on Long Street (close to Strand street end of Long): They are an upmarket African boutique that focuses on local designers.  They stock a combo of African contemporary design which includes fashion, art, and homeware from around the continent.  They focus on upliftment and job creation and small business development.  The store is gorgeous and well worth a visit.  34 Long Street
• Vorster & Braye – This local ceramic design studio focuses on creating stylish, bespoke hand-made tableware, decorative objects & planters. They are a hidden gem, located upstairs at 96 Long Street.

3.5 Hout Street 

• Mungo is a unique local textile company with the rare ability to create fabrics from the inception of design to the final product. Well known for the beautiful towels they also produce throws, blankets, gowns, Kikois, chef’s aprons, duvet covers, etc, 78 Hout Street.
  

3.6Bree Street

• Alexandra Hojer – Swedish clothing designer who designs and produces her limited edition designs right here in Cape Town – her studio & shop are well worth a visit – 156 Bree Street
• Skinny laMinx – brilliant local South African fabric designer – her fabric designs are now spotted globally.  201 Bree Street
• Dear Rae –  Launched in 2010 by jewellery designer Karin Rae Matthee, a German/South African with a passion for empowering and employing local South Africans. Each piece of Dear Rae jewellery is designed and made by Karin and her hand-picked manufacturers at her Bree Street studio. The studio and workshop create one space, allowing the ancient art of jewellery making to be exposed to all who visit. 164 Bree Street.
• Cape Cobra – produces unique, high-quality, handcrafted exotic leather pieces.  Excellent range – some of the most beautiful handbags I have ever seen in exotic leather from ostrich through to cobra.  Note, all leather is ethically sourced and the owners have visited every supplier.  They advise that the prices are roughly a third of what you would pay for the same quality in the USA and in the UK.  Note that US clients can have the goods shipped home at no extra cost). Location: 1st Floor, 43 Bree Street, Tel +27 21 415 3440. Check out this article in the New York Times on them by clicking here.   

3.7 City – near District 6 Museum

• Woodheads – is the best place to buy leather and animal skins such as zebra, Nguni cows skins etc.  Woodheads is a wholesaler and as such supply retail stores around Cape Town.  Their prices are substantially cheaper than the regular stores.  This is well worth a visit.  Note that you need to go to the backroom to see the skins and there is a small museum upstairs – should you wish to see it, you simply ask.  29 Caledon Street, Cape Town.  Web: www.woodheads.co.za Tel no: 021 461 7185
• Pichulik  – is one of our favourite jewellery designers! Pop in to discover their unique handcrafted statement-making jewellery which combines rope, woven materials, beautiful stones, glass and brass. 44 Harrington street, Entrance on Albertus street. Tel no: 072 104 9544
  

3.8 Sir Lowry Rd  (As you are heading out of the city in the direction of Woodstock)

• Fabric City – 32 Sir Lowry Rd: Have a wonderful large supply of Shwe Shwe fabric – if you are a fabric person – you cannot leave without buying some of this type of fabric – it is amazing and you will see people wearing it all over the country.  Click here to read the story of Shwe Shwe and to see some of the designs and skirts etc. Tel no for Fabric City -021 462 1286

3.9 GREENPOINT (EDGE OF CITY)

• Cape Quarter Shopping centre– this started as one square and now has expanded to two centres – us locals refer to it as the old Cape Quarter and the new Cape Quarter.  Both have a focus on innovative shops with a design focus.  As such they are worth exploring.  Let’s start with the old Cape Quarter:
  • African Nova – this is a wonderful store featuring a combination of gorgeous African art and craft pieces.  If I was shopping for original high-quality African pieces I would visit this store and Tribal Trends in Long Street.
  • The Lisa King Gallery – offers a selection of works from local artists – this is a must to check out if you are into art.  The focus is on South African abstract and contemporary art
• The New Cape Quarter(across the road from the old Cape Quarter)
  • Uwe Koetter Jewelers – is one of Cape Town’s top jewelry companies and has been operating since 1968.   If you are looking for fine jewelry and want to buy from a trusted source – this would be a recommended stop on your trip.  Clients have included Kate Moss, Nicolas Cage and items commissioned by HM Queen Elizabeth II (as well as other heads of state).    If you give them a call, they will come and fetch you to come and have a look at their store.  Tel 021 425 7770.  A visit to their premises is a fun one as they have now included a bubbly bar run by one of the top local wine estates – Allee Bleue Estate.  You can do a tour of the workshop and can even stay to plan your wedding in South Africa with a wedding planning company that is working in the shop!  The wedding planners are called The Aleit Group www.aleit.co.za.
  • Free Range Jewels – wonderful original designs in silver made by designer and shop owner Marele Moolman.  In addition to their range they do custom design for clients.  I love the designs that I saw – right up my alley!
  • Loulisa – has absolutely gorgeous scarves in silk, wool and cashmere.  In addition they have hand carved Buddha’s.

SEA POINT:

• Black Betty – this  Sea Point based jewellery store, founded in 2012 by designer Kristin Weixelbaumer, creates timeless pieces of jewellery for women and men.  Hand-craftsmanship is the cornerstone of their creative process, utilising hand-cut precious and semi-precious stones suspended in treasured metals.  You will find something for any occasion from their extensive range of pendants, earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets. Pop into the shop to meet the studio dog and try on some of their beautiful pieces! 95 Regent Road, Sea Point.
  
• Blink –  The owner of this shop, Janet Wilensky is passionate about locally produced products. Her ethos is a combination of aesthetics, functionality, affordability and quality. She stocks a lovely range of jewellery, textiles, basketry and ceramics including a big selection of popular local dinnerware range, Wonkiware. 71 Regent Road, Sea Point.
  
• Mash Boutique – is a combo of luxe fashion, jewellery, accessories, gifting and decor.  The unique finds in this store are mostly locally designed and manufactured along with some global brands to compliment the look and feel which is natural, neutral, basic, comfy, trendy and easy. 85A Regent Road, Sea Point.
• Carnifleurs – This new addition to Sea Point is an unusual collaboration between a florist, Karen Phelan from Riley’s Wild Bunch &  Son of a Butcher, Salvin Hirschfield. Pop in for some delicious biltong, grass fed meat or for Karen’s beautiful flowers, ceramic vases or for her own range of divine smelling body products and chocolates.gfg

PAARDEN ISLAND- Just a short drive out of the city is the industrial area of Paarden Island.

• MonkeyBiz –  I would highly recommend a visit to this community project as the work is fantastic and supports a really good cause.  From the Monkey Biz website: Ceramic artists Barbara Jackson and Shirley Fintz, passionate collectors of African beadwork and art have facilitated a revival of an ancient beading tradition in Southern Africa. Together with Mathapelo Ngaka, they made their dream come true. A desire to create employment and empowerment for disadvantaged women in Cape Town has led to the creation of “MONKEYBIZ”. Monkeybiz supplies richly coloured glass beads to women in the townships of Cape Town. The 450 women involved in the project are currently producing exquisite hand-beaded artworks – each a unique one-off creation. The women are paid for each piece they produce; and since they work from home, can look after their families and avoid transport costs. The beaded works are creating a sensation wherever they appear – locally and abroad.  MonkeyBiz is a non-profit organisation – all profits go back into the communities via payment for bead art and the provision of community services. Island Centre, cnr Paarden Eiland and Cumberland Road,
  Paarden Eiland. Tel no: +27 (21) 424 8263

KLOOF STREET – just above the city (Long becomes Kloof Street as you head towards the mountain!

• Ashanti Design – fabulous initiative using offcuts from fabric that have been woven into a new fabric that is used for everything from funky cushion covers through to laptop covers and funky bean bags.
• Shop Collective – is a collective of contemporary South African fashion designers including clothing by AKJP, leather accessories by Thalia Strates and jewellery by Githan Coopoo, who crafts sculptural, unconventional pieces out of clay,  73 Kloof Street.
• Famke – With a new home in sought after Park rd (Just off Kloof Street), Famke and her team specialise in elegantly simple sterling silver and gold jewellery pieces.

WOODSTOCK SHOPPING (this suburb is close to the city – but it is best to explore with a car)

Woodstock is rapidly becoming a trendy and upcoming area where the creative community have moved into.  Rents are cheaper and there are some architectural gems waiting to be snapped up over here.  This is the area to head into if you are into art and antiques.

Two of Cape Town’s top contemporary art galleries have moved to Woodstock (note these two are in the same building):

• Michael Stevenson -Buchanan Building, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock
• Goodman Gallery – 3rd Floor, Fairweather House,176 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock

More gems for you to discover in Woodstock:

• Missibaba is a luxury accessories label making unique statement leather handbags, jewellery pieces and more.  Led by artist Chloe Townsend, every single Missibaba item is handmade by a skilled artisan in their small Woodstock studio, 232 Albert Rd, Woodstock. Tel no +27 21 447 2045.
  
• The Old Biscuit Mill – is home to a range of shops as well as Saturday & Sunday’s Neighbour Goods Market,  where you will find a carefully curated local design market along with delicious food stalls! Shop for clothes, jewellery, leather goods etc.
  
• The South African Print Gallery  – they have a limited edition range of prints of some of South Africa’s leading artists (across the road from Michael Stevenson Gallery) – 109 Sir Lowry Rd
• The Woodstock Foundry – this  is a wonderful assortment of quirky shops, a coffee roastery & cafe and a community of creatives. Shop for high-end designer furniture at Vogel, designer jewellery from VRVO or  bronze sculptures by the talented Stanislaw Trzebinski – it is definitely worth popping in to explore if you are in the neighbourhood – 160 Albert Rd, Woodstock.
• The Woodstock Exchange – Launched in 2011, the Woodstock Exchange is a multi-purpose space where Capetonians work & play. You will find an artisanal chocolate shop, fashion & furniture designers, a coffee roastery & a variety of eateries. The common thread throughout is creativity and inspirational exchange, 66 – 68 Albert Road, Woodstock.
• meandyou Fashion Collective – this is a fabulous collection of designers who have taken a communal space to showcase their designs (quite a few are upstairs sowing and designing) I love this spot – great innovative items at really good prices for original designs.  Shop open 10 ’til 4 Mon to Fri and Sat 10 ’til 1, 103 sir lowry road, Woodstock, cape town +27(0) 214619301
• Good Spaces – This is a sustainably curated space that enables society, business and the environment to co-exist. Shop for fashion, beauty and lifestyle items and grab a bite from one of their food stalls. We love the Asian-inspired food from No Fixed Address and you can even sample South Africa’s first Bug restaurant, Gourmet Grubb! Wash these down with a drink from the Good Bar. This is also home to Juma Art Tours, chat to him about doing a Street Art tour on foot or bike.

SOUTHERN SUBURBS:

• Newlands – The Montebello Design Centre – a lovely little collection of artists and a few quirky stores.   Combine with lunch at the Gardeners Cottage and a walk in Kirstenbosch before or after.
• Little Chelsea – Pierre Cronje – has the reputation for the most beautiful wood work furniture in the country.   Not only are his designs absolutely gorgeous – but the level of quality is unsurpassed.  I just wish I could afford to fill my whole house with his furniture. Visit their showroom, 1 1/2 Wolfe Street, Chelsea Village.
• We Are Egg at Cavendish Square – is a unique retail experience where you can shop locally made fashion, beauty, decor  & wellness products in one store.

PENINSULA:

1. Kalk Bay: Kalk Bay is a  local Cape Town village which is located on the sea and boasts one of the quaintest small community fishing harbours.  It is also home to some of the Cape’s nicest restaurants that offer the freshest fish and a delightful shopping ramble.  Kalk Bay is a destination that many locals will head to on weekends – just to stroll up and down and relax.  The stores are a mix of antiques, bric-a-brac, art galleries and two wonderful African trading stores.  My two favourite stores in Kalk Bay are: Kalk Bay Modern (above Olympia café) and Artvark – both are well worth a visit to stock up on African art and craft. www.artvark.org. We also love Soul Design – Created by designer Abi James, Soul Design is a bespoke range of ethically made jewellery inspired by her travels around Africa. Abi began working with artisans from different parts of Africa and from that, SOUL Design started to emerge as a curated collection that combines the best of African craftsmanship with a bohemian flair. SOUL is created from a variety of materials and metals including brass, bone, wood and precious stone.
2. Simons Town – aim to do a walk down the main road – you will find a fun and eclectic mix of stores along the drag and it well worth exploring and doing a little ramble
3. Hout Bay – The Original T-Bag Design – Great initiative in Hout Bay to create jobs by using used t-bags to make art and crafts – this is a fabulous store to check out – gorgeous stuff and an inspirational story.

5.  CAPE TOWN SHOPPING MALLS:

For those hardened shoppers who really need to have a 1^st world retail fix, visit one of the below shopping centres.  Both are useful if you need to get something for a wedding or function and have not bought it before arrival!

5.1Cavendish Square – our most upmarket shopping centre.  Location Claremont Southern Suburbs.

5.2 Canal Walk– a serious mall – lots and lots and lots of shops under one roof.  This is a blister creating shopping experience. This is where the locals shop – it is also where they all hang out on cold & wet days.  So note that if you head here on a bad weather day – the centre will be manic!  Location: Just off the N1 – about 15 minutes from the Waterfront.  Note that there is a shuttle service that operates from many of Cape Town’s hotels to the shopping centre.  Click here for more information on the shuttle service. 

5.3 Cape Quarter – this is two small shopping malls in the Greenpoint area near the city.  They have a fun ecclectic mix of shops and it is great fun to walk around and explore.  Note – make sure you discover both squares!  A wonderful shop to look for is an African store called Africa Nova – it is in the Old Cape Quarter.  It stocks African artworks of an extremely high quality.

OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST:

1. Makoya Makaraba Designs – the genuine South African styled soccer fan hard hats.  This is a really interesting empowerment project in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.  Many South Africans design their own hats for soccer matches.  This company sells them and will also make tailor made hard hats.  Check out their website it is fascinating. www.makaraba.co.za To visit contact Michael Souter Tel no: 021 715 26 75
2. Online shopping of great South Africa goods  – check out Jo’s blog to see her handbags visit http://facesaroundcapetown.blogspot.com/ Some information from Jo: I started an upmarket handbag business two years ago. FACT – faces around cape town. My bags are made up with photographic images that show the spirit of South Africa. At present these images include township scenes and wildlife. I am a photographer and have my images digitally printed onto a canvas fabric. ( a very high quality but costly process) Printing this way allows me to limit the quantity, making the bags more exclusive – all my bags are limited editions of 100. I use one of the top hand bag makers (if not the best) in the country to make up the bags. The quality is superb and they are made up with genuine leather. I attach a few pics. You will also get a good idea of what fact is all about by going onto my blog http://facesaroundcapetown.blogspot.comMy business is part community project. A third of my profits go towards buying story books for the schools that the children from the Rooidakke township attend.My business has grown in the last year and included in my current range are cushions, cards, paperweights, coasters and soy wax candles.
3. Isipili Mirrors– I love these funky mirrors that are part of a local upliftment project.  Check them out on their website – or look for them at the following outlets around Cape Town:
   1. Moyo at Spier (Stellenbosch) 021 8091989 www.moyo.co.za
   2. Selections Warehouse
   3. Gallery de Lyon
   4. Polly-on-line www.polly-online.co.uk
   5. Monkeybiz www.monkeybiz.co.za
   6. Mielie at Montebello www.mielie.co.za
4. Mielie Handbags – using reclaimed fabric they weave the most amazing handbags – each one is an artwork and is quite simply gorgeous!  It has grown from a one person business to a project that now employs 50 people.  Check them out online – you will find them all over Cape Town – one of the best collections is at the Mielie Store at Montobello in Newlands Cape Town.
5. Tanya Bousquet – is a very talented South African jewelry designer from Johannesburg.  She specializes in designs using lampwork beads and creative silversmithing.

Happy shopping in the Cape!