A little more than two decades ago a collection of scruffy 1930s light industrial buildings in Johannesburg were converted into a creative and business hub. When Brian Green founded 44 Stanley in 2003, the focus was on providing easily accessible, local products and supporting small business vendors. The hub has surpassed expectations and developed into a must-visit destination with carefully curated local and ethical brands, galleries, design studios, and eateries. 44 Stanley was recently mentioned in iAfrica.com as one of five Insta-worthy locations and won the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Award in the Retail Category.

Here are some of the noteworthy shops:

five8ths

five8ths is a shirtmaker. Their beautifully tailored shirts are custom made in-store from high quality fabrics sourced from Italy and Japan. Truly bespoke, every customer is measured by owner Liz Kading who then makes a pattern for ongoing use. Cuffs and collars can be finished as the customer requires.

• Follow five8ths here
• Visit five8ths website here

Gone Outdoor

Gone Outdoor is South Africa’s official Patagonia stockist. Their mission is to build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.

Shop the widest range of Patagonia and other sustainable products with their knowledgeable band of outdoor enthusiasts.

• Follow Gone Outdoor here
• Visit Gone Outdoor here

Guillotine by Lisa Jaffe

Guillotine’s design style is all about the structure and tailoring of clothes with an emphasis on luxurious fabrics. Women-in-the-know swear by Lisa Jaffe’s dresses that miraculously flatter every shape.

The store also stocks other women-led, local sustainable brands including the L’MAD Collection, a range of silk printed scarves bearing original artworks of well-known South African artists, Pichulik contemporary jewellery and Romaria Knitwear.

• Follow Guillotine by Lisa Jaffe here
• Visit Guillotine by Lisa Jaffe here

IFUKU

Self-described denim junkie, Rodney Mudzengerere, opened his bricks-and-mortar store in 2021 after running a very successful Instagram shop.

The space is filled with vintage denim, cargo jackets, boots and his own range of T-shirts and kimono-style jackets. If you visit you’re likely to bump into some of the city’s most stylish people.

• Follow IFUKU here
• Visit IFUKU website here

Land of Kin

Land of Kin is built on the solid foundation of Odrin, its predecessor. Land of Kin offers a one-stop-shop for men, selling suiting, other clothing items, sneakers and fragrances. The focus remains on styling the classics, through a sustainable lens.

• Follow Land of Kin here
• Visit Land of Kin website here

Lombia

A curated range of sunglasses and optical frames designed in Jozi and meticulously handcrafted in Japan.⁠ Founded by Noko Malatjie, the brand draws inspiration from his personal journey. Growing up with weak eyesight and short-sightedness, Noko faced the challenge of limited access to prescription glasses. This adversity became his mission, transforming a childhood struggle into a commitment to create quality eyewear—designed with heart and crafted with precision.

• Follow Lombia here
• Visit Lombia Johannesburg website here 

Lucky Fish

This is a characterful women’s boutique, selling high ethically sourced Indian fashion wear as well as their locally made one-off items such as silk dresses and pyjamas.

• Follow Lucky Fish here

LUNAR

Lunar, one of 44 Stanley’s original tenants is a South African fashion and lifestyle brand founded in the mid-1990s. The first garments were hand dyed to reflect the earth’s colours.

Their focus on sustainability was ahead of its time and the brand continues producing exceptional quality classics that will last for years.

• Follow Lunar here
• Visit Lunar website here

Me&B

The South African size-inclusive, fashion brand is made for wanting to have fun and look good doing it.

Founded in 2018 by Kelly and Betina, mother and daughter team from Cape Town, they opened their first stand-alone store at 44 Stanley in 2021.

• Follow Me&B here
• Visit Me&B website here

MoMa

A selection of carefully picked menswear from niche brands including Rich and Famous, Lufian, and Human Scale.

The team are passionate about style and have a dedicated client base that look to them for fashion advice and help on achieving their easy-going style.

• Follow MoMa here

MUNGO

Founded in 1998, Mungo is a unique textile company that has the rare ability to create quality fabrics from the inception of design to the final product. Their wide range of homeware products are individually woven from natural fibres on antique and repurposed looms at their mill in Plettenberg Bay. Sustainability and transparency underpin all their processes. Innovative themes and fresh contemporary designs set Mungo apart. Mungo is the only brand in South Africa that has Global Organic Textile Standard certification.

• Follow Mungo here
• Visit Mungo website here 

Rowdy

The Johannesburg outlet of Cape Town-based leather bag company established in 2012. Originally founded to provide beautiful and affordable leather rucksacks to local students, Rowdy’s minimalist offering has evolved into a range of stylish yet classic leather bags.

They opened their first standalone store at 44 Stanley in 2018 and since then have been a favourite of locals and tourists alike.

• Follow Rowdy here
• Visit Rowdy website here 

SEALAND

Consciously crafted, adventure-ready gear and apparel made from waste and responsibly sourced materials – each piece is designed to last a lifetime while looking great.

• Follow Sealand here
• Visit Sealand website here

Ya-de

A multi-brand boutique celebrating African craftsmanship and design. Stocking brands including Adama, Dye Lab and Adama Paris they bring luxury brands from the continent not available elsewhere in Johannesburg.

• Follow Ya-de here

 

• Feature image is of Lunar’s shop
• Guillotine image by Sashenka Naicker
• Ya-de image supplied
• The rest of the images by Arthur Dlamini