A new boutique has opened in Muizenberg, Cape Town’s seaside suburb on False Bay. Curated by Diana Cilliers, the retail destination offers a selection of beautifully crafted, artisanal garments made by local craftspeople. We spoke to Diana for more details.
Tell us about the White Cube boutique.
In the current world of virtual realities, there exists a strong need for a tactile encounter with our physical world – matter, in all its glorious appearances, colour, texture, and the undeniable presence of mass. The engagement with high-quality, natural fabrics by informed, skilled craftspeople is central to our brand.
A Studio Mikami creation
Why did you decide on a collective?
Inclusivity is an important element in my approach to all things, especially people. I believe that the power of the group far eclipses that of the individual, and it is far more enjoyable to work with great people than to apply oneself in isolation.
Is there a criteria that you use in choosing designers?
Absolutely. Apart from excellence in design ability and execution, they are all completely unique.
Orange silk dress by Julia Brewis for Studio Mikami, and kimono by Diana Cilliers
What role does White Cube play in pushing sustainability and ethical practices?
It is an ongoing task to refine all practices to comply with the ideal of a perfectly ethical and sustainable world. We have a strong commitment to using local materials, green materials, and recycled materials. We are dedicated to empowering women in the workplace, and ongoing training and upliftment are priorities. We follow several directives to improve our sustainability and ethical sourcing as our society evolves in its understanding of a responsible world.
Briefly tell us about the boutique’s latest offering. How often do you swap out designs?
That depends on the individual designer. For example, Ronel Jordaan innovates on an ongoing basis and presents new ideas weekly. Much of Julia Brewis’ work follows the rhythm of a painter and evolves as she explores creative ideas. So, it runs more on an organic flow than a planned seasonal program.
Ochre shawl crafted from pure hand-felted wool by Ronel Jordaan
Who is your target market?
Our clients are visually literate people who appreciate the proven sensibilities of good design, such as simplicity, a sensitivity to materials, and an enduring style immune to fads. We appeal to all age groups, but we find that we attract a demographic of thirty-five and older more regularly.
The Kimono Yua made from premium linen by Studio Mikami
What is that one piece in the boutique that would describe the current state the world is in?
I would rather identify one characteristic of our work that describes a need in the current world, and that is a need for integrity. Our work represents integrity in all its many aspects.
Linen dress and shirt by Studio Mikami
Who currently makes up the collective?
The collective consists of myself, Diana Cilliers, Ronel Jordaan, Julia Brewis, ROK/DRESS (Tanya Daitz), and Bellamy and Bellamy (David Bellamy).
What are your plans for the future?
For the serious designer, bridging the gap between the intense focus of the creative process and the rigorous demand of the marketplace remains a daunting challenge. To alleviate this, we aim to improve our platform to accommodate designers’ needs more efficiently and realistically.
- Feature image: White Cube is a collective of diverse designers including @thetextilista , @studiomikami , @rok.dress , @dianacilliers and @roneljordaantex
- You can follow White Cube Boutique on Instagram
- Visit them at 15 Church Rd, Muizenberg, Cape Town, 7950