Guild Design Fair: The cream of the crop from the inaugural exhibition in Cape Town

The Guild Design Fair brings together a tightly edited selection of furniture and objects from local and international designers inside The Lookout, in Cape Town's Granger Bay
The Guild Design Fair brings together a tightly edited selection of furniture and objects from local and international designers inside The Lookout, in Cape Town's Granger Bay
(Image credit: press)

With Design Indaba being a regular fixture on Cape Town's spring calendar, and the Cape Town Art Fair now in its second year, it is no surprise that an upscale international design fair has arrived on the scene. The debut of the Guild Design Fair (which runs until 9 March) sets out to emulate the best of the Basel, Miami and Milan offerings, while adding a fresh dose of 'African-ness' to the mix.

With only five commercial galleries participating - among them stalwarts such as Milan's Rossana Orlandi and New York's R & Company (formerly R 20th Century) - it's small, and less than crowded. A selection of non-profit organisations, such as the Danish government-funded Design Network Africa, and London's V&A Museum Maker Library Network, are also present, exploring 'the theme of "making" at an elevated, collectible level,' says the fair's co-founder Trevyn McGowan.  

For more than a decade, McGowan and her husband Julian have been well-known trailblazers of high-end African design. Their gallery, Southern Guild, was founded in 2008, and since then, they have focused on producing limited-edition pieces from more than 50 of the country's best designers and artists. 'There is a wealth of talent here. I'm approached often by makers,' says McGowan, who plans to focus in on, rather than expand, her network. Last October, a selection of the gallery's works launched Johannesburg's new Museum of African Design, and the Guild pop-up shop Artisan features smaller limited-edition jewellery, ceramics and accessories, selected by McGowan.

Zesty Meyers, co-founder of R & Company tacked on visits to makers' studios around the country in addition to exhibiting. 'There's a palpable energy here and a big drive for people to find their voice,' he says. 'It feels like South Africa is right on the brink of having its moment.' For participating US designers Jeff Zimmerman and David Wiseman, and Spanish born Nacho Carbonell, whose sculptural playground is a stand out feature of Guild, the opportunity to meet South African designers was new and invigorating. 'There is so much enthusiasm, and enviable studio space,' says Zimmerman.

McGowan plans for Guild to become an annual event. So far, feedback has been largely positive. 'I came not expecting to sell much,' says Orlandi 'but there are many international collectors, beyond the usual crowd. It has been a big surprise.'

The exhibition and its sculpture garden explore 'the theme of "making" at an elevated

The exhibition and its sculpture garden explore 'the theme of "making" at an elevated, collectible level,' says the fair's co-founder Trevyn McGowan

(Image credit: press)

Their gallery, Southern Guild, was founded in 2008, and since then, they have focused on producing limited-edition pieces

For more than a decade, McGowan and her husband Julian have been well-known trailblazers of high-end African design. Their gallery, Southern Guild, was founded in 2008, and since then, they have focused on producing limited-edition pieces from more than 50 of the country's best designers and artists, many of which are represented at Guild Design Fair

(Image credit: press)

Lala-Shwantla cabinet by Dokter and Misses, shown by Southern Guild

Lala-Shwantla cabinet by Dokter and Misses, shown by Southern Guild

(Image credit: Dokter and Misses)

'Bloom Table' by Capetonian designer John Vogel, shown by Southern Guild

'Bloom Table' by Capetonian designer John Vogel, shown by Southern Guild

(Image credit: John Vogel)

Among the five commercial galleries participating is Milan's Rossana Orlandi

Among the five commercial galleries participating is Milan's Rossana Orlandi

(Image credit: press)

One of the standout pieces at the fair is an installation called 'Playground Closes at Dusk'

One of the standout pieces at the fair is an installation called 'Playground Closes at Dusk' by Spanish-born Nacho Carbonell, incorporating textiles by Dutch company Vlisco

(Image credit: press)

R & Company's stand, featuring works by the Haas Brothers

R & Company's stand, featuring works by the Haas Brothers

(Image credit: Haas Brothers)

Also among R & Company's offerings are pieces by Wendell Castle

Also among R & Company's offerings are pieces by Wendell Castle, Jeff Zimmerman, Thaddeus Wolfe and David Wiseman

(Image credit: Haas Brothers)

One half of the Southern Guild stand, showing 'The Gateway'

One half of the Southern Guild stand, showing 'The Gateway', by Daniella Mooney and Yogi de Beer

(Image credit: Daniella Mooney and Yogi de Beer)

'Chiaroscuro' bench by Laurie Wiid van Heeren from Southern Guild

'Chiaroscuro' bench by Laurie Wiid van Heeren from Southern Guild

(Image credit: Laurie Wiid van Heeren)

'Informal Seating' in bronze by Guy de Toit

'Informal Seating' in bronze by Guy de Toit, inspired by the portable stools African workers carry around and place randomly at mealtimes

(Image credit: Guy de Toit)

Left: 'Mad Matters' by ceramic art duo Ceramic Matters at Guild pop-up shop Artisan, Right: Andile Dyalvane's 'Docks' table, shown by Southern Guild

Left: 'Mad Matters' by ceramic art duo Ceramic Matters at Guild pop-up shop Artisan, which features limited-edition takeaways. Right: Andile Dyalvane's 'Docks' table, shown by Southern Guild, was inspired by the views from his studio over Cape Town's docks

(Image credit: press)

Ceremonial copper masks by Michael Elion at the Artisan shop

Ceremonial copper masks by Michael Elion at the Artisan shop

(Image credit: Michael Elion)

Mpanado Pottery, on sale at Artisan.

Mpanado Pottery, on sale at Artisan. Designer Joseph Nii worked with 70 Ghanaian women to produce a collection of pottery with a black patina formed by firing in a bamboo fire rather than a kiln

(Image credit: press)

The stand at Coletivo Amor de Madre features concrete blocks, on which pieces from a range of makers from Brazil are presented

The stand at Coletivo Amor de Madre features concrete blocks, on which pieces from a range of makers from Brazil are presented

(Image credit: press)

The temporary stand at the Maker Library Network features a library

The temporary stand at the Maker Library Network features a library, a gallery, and a maker space in which local designer Heath Nash is running workshops

(Image credit: press)

The largely monochrome stand of the Danish government-funded Design Network Africa

The largely monochrome stand of the Danish government-funded Design Network Africa

(Image credit: press)

'Bronze chairs with objects' by Guy du Toit

'Bronze chairs with objects' by Guy du Toit

(Image credit: Guy du Toit)

ADDRESS

Guild Design Fair
The Lookout
Granger Bay
Cape Town

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Emma O'Kelly is a contributing editor at Wallpaper*. She joined the magazine on issue 4 as news editor and since since then has worked in full and part time roles across many editorial departments. She is a freelance journalist based in London and works for a range of titles from Condé Nast Traveller to The Telegraph. She is currently working on a book about Scandinavian sauna culture and is renovating a mid century house in the Italian Lakes.