With the return of the Tribal Chic trend to both catwalks and homes, the launch of Casbah Boutique is a timeous one. Imagined by friends Antonia Labia and Jess Henrich, it features a selection of carefully sourced décor, fashion and jewellery items, each with a chic, African twist. They have scoured the continent looking for stylish buys and clever gifting from Nigerian Asoka cloth cushions, Linda Camm sandals and belts from Kenya, antique furniture reinvented with Shweshwe upholstery and Maasai beaded detailing, chunky silver jewellery, unusual ceramics and animal print pumps.
"We've shied away from the traditional 'African look' that people know so well and have created a collection of smalls and larger items that showcase the incredible craftsmanship and creative innovation you find all over Africa", says Labia who points out Heinrich's custom-made leather clutches with their distinctive Maasai detailing that reflects her Kenyan homeland.
While Casbah is a Pan African experience, it is very much a Cape Town one too. A range of custom-made tote bags by Labia, featuring locally designed and produced fabric by Jay Smith, ceramics by ceramist talent Antony Shapiro, a signature pendant depicting the African continent and interesting rope and leather bracelets for both men and women designed for the boutique, by jeweller Tanya Wheeler. There is also a range of kaftans and silk shirts designed by the boutique owners and locally produced organic skin care products, candles, scarves and more.
The Summer show explores the notion of the connoisseurship and collector motivation and will feature works by some of the country's leading and emerging contemporary artists including William Kentridge, Robert Hodgins, Egon Tania, James Webb and Justin Fiske. The show runs until end January 2013 and will be open daily from 9am until 4pm.
For more information, go to www.casalabia.co.za.
