What to expect from this year's Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair
The combination of innovative design, food and wine under one roof means it must be time for the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair again.
This year, S Mag is proud to be associated with the fair that brings the phrase “Well Made in Africa” to life as innovators and trendsetters come together for three days to showcase their crafts and wares.
Now in its eighth year, the fair is set to transform the rooftop of Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg from 13 to 15 October 2017.
Having sponsored the event since 2010, Sanlam and fair founders, Artlogic bring together top players in the artisan sphere, giving fair-goers the opportunity to be the first to encounter emerging creatives.
One of the highlights of the fair is its interior look and feel and sophisticated lounge area – the design for which will be executed by talented designer Donald Nxumalo this year.
According to Mandla Sibeko, director of Artlogic, it’s a chance to champion African entrepreneurship. “The fair has gone from strength to strength over the years, with 50 exhibitors in 2010 and more than 120 this year. Africa is humming with potential – and it’s our privilege to support some of its rising stars – the individuals who hold the key to affecting real change.”
Here are some of the exhibitors we are looking forward to seeing this week:
NATIVE DÉCOR
Quirky designs is what sets Vusani Ravele’s, Native Décor apart from the rest. Just 18 months after starting his business, the 30 year old is making great strides in the world of design. After initially running his business of creating wooden décor ornaments that include wine holders, magazine holders, clocks and ligh features to name a few, Ravele got his big break after entering the television show, Shark Tank. On the show, he was offered an investment opportunity by entrepreneur Gil Oved who also acts as a mentor for the Limpopo native. “We are excited to be involved in the Sanlam Art Fair with S Mag as our official partner. It’s our opportunity to showcase our simple, yet emotive designs,” he says. Personally, I feel that design is your message to the world from a conversation you’ve been having with it. We work with beautiful raw ply woods; something that South Africans are still new to. It’s our official hello to South Africa’s design community.
TIME ANCHOR DISTILLERY
The craft gin movement is showing no signs of slowing down and local entrepreneur, Shanna-Rae Wilby is perfectly positioned to leverage this trend. Based in Maboneng, Wilby’s Time Anchor Distillery is a relatively new player on the scene and she’s making a name for herself with her quirky story and innovative products. This self-taught distiller found her calling whilst infusing vodka with skittles and candyfloss for friends in university. Time Anchor Distillery will be launching two new products at this year’s fair – a colour changing Mirari Blue Gin and a shimmering gin. This really is a mix of science and alchemy and something that you have to see to believe. The colour changing gin gets its striking blue colour from a particular flower and, when mixed with either tonic or lemon juice the change in pH alters the colour to a pretty purple-pink colour.
SAINT D’ICI
Niche and natural, Saint D’Ici is a Johannesburg based fragrance house run by 35 year old entrepreneur Marie Aoun. The perfumery uses seasonal ingredients sustainably sourced from across the African continent to make her limited edition natural perfumes, of which only 50-350 bottles are made. Auon believes that local artisan must stop thinking of themselves as Africa vs. the world as this implies that that have something to prove or that they don’t belong. She believes that African artisans should of course have a sense of place, but they must partake in a global economy and so shouldn’t think twice about contributing to it.
Pre-sale tickets are available online via Webtickets for R120 each, or at the door for R130 (kids under 12 enter free). For more information on the fair go to www.SanlamHMC.co.za or stay up to date with the latest news via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Opening times: Friday 13 October: 12pm - 10pm
Saturday 14 October: 10am - 9pm
Sunday 15 October: 10am - 4pm