Local furniture exhibition - Western Cape Furniture Initiative

Annual Proudly Capetonian Furniture
Exhibition 2011
The WCFI aims to promote good design of local designers and manufacturers in the
furniture industry by facilitating the creative visions into well made products that offers
excellent commercial and social value.
In support of Cape Town’s World Design Capital 2014 Bid, the goal for the Furniture
Exhibition was to showcase our local design and manufacturing, and encourage local
talents. While the world’s eyes are on us, it is important for the public to have an
overview of what local furniture industry has to offer, in the hope that the exhibition can
grow into a significant platform for South African design.
Details of the Exhibition:
The Launch of the WCFI’s Proudly Capetonian Furniture Exhibition took place on
Wednesday 24 August 2011 at the Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Salt River – F
Block from 17h00-19h00. The guest speakers were Y. Tsai, Aidan Bennetts and
Laurence Brick. The MEC of the Western Cape Alan Winde was the Key Note speaker.
The 32 exhibitors were:
[1h.o.h.] object house & agent, A-Grade Africa Wood Works, Andrew Dominic, Bella
Craft Designs, Care Craft, Charlie Rose, Co Design, Dexter Furniture, Feeling African,
Furntech, Gilles Pretorius, Haldane Martin, Heath Nash, Indigi Designs, James Mudge
Furniture Studio, JBH Design, Kluyts & Co. In association with Space in between
Design, Lello Design, Liam Mooney, On Q Dezign, Pedersen and Lennard, Petersen's,
Pierre Cronje, Recreate, Redline Architectural Studio cc (RAS), Supreme Upholstery,
Thingking, Tsai Design Studio, Van Ingen-Kal, Vogel Design, Wood World & Woodlam,
The exhibition was open to the public on Thursday 25 August from 10h00-18h00 and
Friday 26 August 2011 from 10h00-14h00.
Annual Proudly Capetonian Furniture
Exhibition 2012
From 18-24 September 2012 the Western Cape
Furniture Initiative (WCFI) hosted their 2nd Annual
Proudly Capetonian Furniture Exhibition of
collaborative pieces by some of our best local
designers and manufacturers.
Aimed at promoting local design, participating
exhibitors include favourites Haldane Martin,
Aidan Bennetts, Wolf & Maiden, Okha, Frank
Böhm, Andrew Dominic, Casamento, James
Mudge and may more.
The furniture scene has changed dramatically over the past decade. We now have a
distinctive drive to promote and create products that inspires innovative design and
master craftsmanship.
At the opening which took place on Tuesday
evening, MC and co owner of Blue Collar White
Collar Paul van der Spuy, commented that “We,
Cape Town are the true new artisans of South
Africa! That’s our strength! Embrace it and drive it!
The furniture industry in Cape Town is where the
clothing industry used to be, strong and moving
forward. I can’t recall where it was, but I once heard
a strap-line that said: ”Keep The Cape In Shape!”
Don’t lose it like we did. “Keep The Shape In
Cape”!
Haldane Martin the key note speaker said that “South Africa is a young democracy
seeking its cultural identity and this process is portrayed in our local furniture with their
distinctive brands. In my opinion what it takes to be a successful creative entrepreneur
is PASSION. As cliché as that may sound it is never the less true. Passion is an inexhaustible resource that will see us though all the trials and tribulations that challenge
us as we go about manifesting our creative vision in the world. And then of course
dogged persistence and many other personal qualities are also necessary. But passion
is the fuel that keeps us going.”
A magical ambiance was set with the most exquisite furniture designs that set the
scene. The images speak for themselves; take a peek into some pictures of our inspired
furniture designs as we celebrated the spectacular event.