Shopping in Cape Town
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African Art Factory
This partnership project of designers and craftspeople produces colourful ceramics, wireworks and other items within the old City Hospital grounds. An example is Luvuyo Nyathi who recycles tin drink cans and bottle tops into decorative flowers, picture frames, bags and boxes.
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A.R.T. Gallery
Apart from displaying pieces by celebrated ceramicist Clementina van der Walt you’ll find works by other artists at this gallery curated by her partner Albie Bailey. The courtyard opposite is decorated with a towering wall of giant glass flowers. Call ahead for opening times.
reviewed
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Cape Originals
Stocking the beautiful ostrich eggshell–decorated accessories made by Avoova it’s based in Prince Albert in the Karoo. Each one is a unique piece. You’ll also find Masai bead work from Kenya here and a few other carefully selected crafts.
reviewed
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Belle Ombre Antiques
Appealing Cape country antiques and African pieces, including wood carvings from Ethiopia and Namibia, are sold here. In a shady garden at the rear, you’ll find Brad’s Bistro, a rustic place for lunch or a snack while you’re doing the shopping rounds.
reviewed
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Whatnot & China Town
As if a thousand mad aunts have combined their prize china collections, this emporium – occupying a maze of rooms – offers all manner of plates, cups, bowls and decorative objects crafted from clay, including rare collectables by the likes of Clarice Cliff.
reviewed
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Carrol Boyes
Carrol Boyes’ sensuous designs in pewter and steel give a fun feel to cutlery, kitchen products and homewares. You’ll also find some rainbow-hued beadworks from Monkeybiz on sale here and Barbara Jackson’s ceramics.
reviewed
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Love Project
The charity shop undergoes an arty reboot at this laudable operation selling an appealing selection of decorative objects, gifts and clothing – all handmade and helping Cape Town’s disadvantaged. They have a Saturday market when the crafters show up.
reviewed
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Atlas Trading Company
The pungent smell of over 100 different herbs, spices and incense perfumes the air at this cornerstone of the Bo-Kaap’s Cape Muslim community. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric place and the proprietors will happily share some local recipes with you.
reviewed
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Blossom
Tucked away up an alley opposite the train station is this compact box of handcrafted decorative items from knitted jewellery and appliqué pillowcases to felt egg-cosies and rings made from buttons. They also host a couple of themed exhibitions each month.
reviewed
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Mnandi Textiles & Design
Mnandi sells cloth from all over Africa as well as clothing printed with everything from ANC election posters to animals and traditional African patterns. You can also have clothes tailor-made. The Xhosa women and Desmond Tutu cloth dolls (R290) are adorable.
reviewed
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African Music Store
The range of local music here, including all top jazz, kwaito (a form of township music), dance and trance recordings, can’t be surpassed. You’ll also find DVDs and other souvenirs. The staff are knowledgeable about the music scene.
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Big Blue
A good boutique for picking up some fun clubbing gear or beachwear by South African designers, including Jo Soap, Amanda Laird Cherry, Cuba Vera and Gottalotalove. There’s also a branch in Cavendish Square and Kalk Bay.
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Shimansky
Diamonds are synonymous with South Africa and here you’ll find plenty of them set in a range of jewellery designs. There’s also a workshop where you can take a peek at how all that bling is put together and choose some stones of your own.
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African Image
There’s a fab range of new and old crafts and artefacts at reasonable prices. You’ll find a lot of township crafts here, as well as wildly patterned shirts. Buy a can of Afro Coffee or Tea from Nzolo Café next door.
reviewed
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Design Afrika
Weaving designs across Africa is Binky Newman’s slogan for this marvellous, hidden-away emporium of arts and crafts gathered from remote corners of the continent. Come for traditional fabrics, metalware, carved wood items and tribal artefacts.
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Religion
Apart from its own brand of unisex fashion for the streetwise, this interesting boutique stocks clothing by the likes of Jacob Kimmie and Craig Native, whose T-shirts, printed with bull's-eye designs of Africa, you'll see everywhere in Cape Town.
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Naartjie
This attractive range of designer cotton children’s clothing has grown from a stall on Greenmarket Sq to a global brand. There’s also a branch in Cavendish Square and a factory shop in Hout Bay.
reviewed
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Shipwreck Shop
If you’re after anything to do with ships from scrimshaw (old carved ivory) to charts and models then this treasure trove, containing over 20, 000 pieces of memorabilia salvaged from ocean-going vessels, should be on your visit list.
reviewed
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Gallery Zoom
Eddie Zoom's jumble sale of retro furnishings from the 1950s to the 1980s is where you can also get newly made Tretchikoff prints on canvas or paper (from around R200). Ask to flip through the catalogue for the iconic image of your choice.
reviewed
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Victoria Wharf
Cape Town’s premier mall is Victoria Wharf recently expanded since the entire Waterfront was sold off to Dubai to include many international luxury brands. You’ll also find here all the big names of South African retail.
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Naartjie
This attractive range of designer cotton children’s clothing has grown from a stall on Greenmarket Sq to a global brand. There’s a branch in Cavendish Square and a factory shop in Hout Bay.
reviewed
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Hip Hop East City Corridor
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Mogalakwena
This attractive gallery displays colourful stitched panels and other Pedi crafts from the Limpopo province depicting rural scenes. They make charming gifts. A panel without the English or Pedi explanation in stitching costs R1200.
reviewed
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Imagenius
Set over three levels this treasure-trove of modern African design offers up an eclectic range, including ceramics, beachwear, jewellery and super-cute buckskin baby booties. There are stylish gift cards, boxes and wrapping, too.
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Exclusive Books
This chain bookshop has a great selection of titles and comfy surroundings in which to browse before you buy, plus a café. There are also branches at Cavendish Square and Lifestyles on Kloof.
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