5 new talents we're excited to see at the 2019 Design Indaba

27 February 2019 - 12:52
By Nothemba Mkhondo
Kara Schoeman design.
Image: Supplied Kara Schoeman design.

Design Indaba, Africa’s top creative conference, has been drawing creative minds from across the world since 1995. The annual event, based on the idea of making “a better world through creativity”, opens on February 27 in Cape Town.

The Emerging Creatives programme – the Design Indaba platform created to provide support, education and mentoring for South Africa's future designers, is always a must-see.

These are the up-and-coming creatives not to miss at this year’s event:

1. Kara Schoeman

Furniture and homeware designer, Kara Artistics

Kara Schoeman creates functional aluminium art. With a BA in fine art, Schoeman’s work gives everyday décor items an art twist with pieces such as decorative bowls inspired by the textures and patterns of coral and leaves.

2. Simphiwe Mlambo

Interior designer

Afrofuturist-inspired bespoke objects are what you can expect from Durban-based interior designer Simphiwe Mlambo.

“I am constantly inspired by my surroundings and heritage and constantly looking for a way to communicate these ideas in a modern context through elegant forms and finishes,” he explains.

A room by interior designer Simphiwe Mlambo.
Image: Suppied A room by interior designer Simphiwe Mlambo.

3. Zinhle Zulu

Illustrator

Zinhle Zulu’s comic book-esque illustrations feature brightly coloured, African-inspired characters and stories.

“Illustration as a medium has so many possibilities of preserving culture through the colours, textures, variations and the different things that symbolise parts of our cultures,” Zulu explains.

A comic book-esque illustration by Zinhle Zulu.
Image: Supplied A comic book-esque illustration by Zinhle Zulu.
A comic book-esque illustration by Zinhle Zulu.
Image: Supplied A comic book-esque illustration by Zinhle Zulu.

4. Madri Scherman

Leather accessories designer, Masch

Madri Scherman’s brand Masch produces leather accessories, including bags, visors, bow ties and wallets.

Scherman, who has a background in molecular science, started Masch to create environmentally conscious everyday luxury pieces that are timeless and ageless.

Leather visor by Masch.
Image: Supplied Leather visor by Masch.
Leather clutch by Masch.
Image: Supplied Leather clutch by Masch.

5. Taz Watson

Jewellery designer, Kirra Jewellery

Jewellery designer and gemmologist Taz Watson is the founder of Kirra Jewellery, an authentically African brand, producing one-of-a-kind pieces created with hand-selected gemstones. Everything is sustainable and African, from sourcing to manufacturing and packaging.

Kirra Jewellery designed by Taz Watson.
Image: Supplied Kirra Jewellery designed by Taz Watson.
Kirra Jewellery designed by Taz Watson.
Image: Supplied Kirra Jewellery designed by Taz Watson.

• The Design Indaba will take place from February 27 to March 1 at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. Tickets for the Cape Town conference and Johannesburg simulcast are available at Webtickets.

• This was originally published in Business Day's Wanted magazine. To get the best in luxury lifestyle news, visit wantedonline.co.za