When it comes to selecting wedding gifts for your registry the world is your oyster and while the temptation may be there to fill your registry with aspirational overseas brands like Le Creuset or Bohemia Crystal, there is something to be said for looking a little closer to home. At Bespoke Home we pride ourselves in curating the finest local and international brands, and what we’ve found is that the quality and craftsmanship of some of our local suppliers is comparable to and even surpasses many of the established international brands. So in the spirit of supporting local craft, let’s take a look at some of our favourite South African wedding gift suppliers from our catalogue.
ABODA
From fine porcelain with gilded finishes to a range of cutlery inspired by indigenous Southern African flora, Aboda’s work is a lasting symbol of fine South African craftsmanship. Forms, textures and shapes are captured in their subtle beauty and translated into highly functional pieces that feel unique and contain their own individual beauty. By drawing their inspiration from the nature of South Africa, these pieces possess a unique sense of place while still being able to stand out on any table around the world.
GEMMA ORKIN
Gemma Orkin produces ceramics quite unlike anything else out there. Her range of bowls, platters and jugs feature whimsical illustrations, which draw on her background as a fine art print maker and bring the skills she learned at UCT’s Michaelis School of Fine Art to the world ceramics. She has been making ceramics for over 25 years and still to this day every item in her range is still made from scratch completely by hand. Gemma loves the surprise that comes from opening the kiln to see what she has created, and her ceramics continue to delight and surprise her customers.
ARDMORE DESIGN
First established on Ardmore Farm in the foothills of the Drakensberg in 1985. Ardmore Studio is the brainchild of Zimbabwe-born artist Fee Halstead. Since these humble beginnings they have received numerous awards and exhibited all over the world. Ardmore Design was established to bring the studio’s unique artistic vision into other mediums featuring playful prints and bold designs rendered onto high quality fabrics and materials their range of coasters, placemats, napkins and scatter cushions are true conversation pieces.
KAROSS
Kaross takes its name from the Khoisan word meaning blanket and serves as a metaphor for the act of sitting down and creating something beautiful. Founded by Irma van Rooyen, Kaross serves as a way of bringing sustainable opportunities for mainly rural women to make a living. Inspired by the embroidery of Tsongo men and women Kaross allows rural African women with an outlet for their traditional skills and as a consequence uplifts and empowers these communities. At Bespoke we stock a range of their gorgeous scatter cushions featuring a mix of prints and designs.
LAID BACK CO.
If you’ve ever ordered a cheeseboard at a top local wine estate or restaurant there is a good chance the board it was served on was manufactured by Laid Back Co. While all their cheeseboards, cake stands and cutlery trays are manufactured by local artisans in their own production facilities, they have expanded to serve clients in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany the British Virgin Islands and Singapore. They emphasise quality and durability and their raw materials include both weathered American oak as well as recycled French oak.
MUNGO
Mungo is a textile brand with a difference. While globally the textile industry has moved into a space where economies of scale and high production volumes are valued over quality Mungo was founded with the exact opposite approach in mind. Founded 20 years ago by master weaver Stuart Holding, Mungo started with two restored antique looms, taking the making of textiles back to a place where craftsmanship was valued above all else. The philosophy paid off and soon demand outstripped production. They now manufacture a fantastic selection of towels, gowns, linen and much, much more. Since 1998 Mungo has expanded to 3 stores nationwide and have opened their own Mill. While their business has grown, their commitment to artisanal craft remains.
THE COTTON COMPANY
It was while she was living in Istanbul that The Cotton Company founder Madeleine Hugo first fell in love with the quality and traditional craftsmanship associated with Turkish towels. When she returned to South Africa it was with the vision of bringing this small taste of Turkish hospitality to the South African market. The towels are 100% eco-friendly and are still manufactured by the same family of artisans she met in Turkey all those years ago. The designs have been hand-picked by Madeleine herself to reflect South African tastes. If you’re looking to add a touch of indulgence to your registry you can’t go wrong with one of their towels, throws or hand towels.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this journey through South African design featured in our store. We are always on the lookout for new and exciting South African wedding gift brands that embody the spirit of quality and craftsmanship. If you have any suggestions of brands you think will be a good fit for our gift registry, mention them in the comments below.
