At a time when most lighting companies were chasing light-emitting diode (LED) light sources, Hoi P’loy started a new trend by introducing ‘old-fashioned’ incandescent lights into the South African market.
Five years ago, Ploy Phiromnam woke up with the realisation that she dreaded working as a fashion trader at a company with a grim company culture. She quit her job without giving much thought to what she was going to do, simply knowing that she had to break free from the toxic environment. Then she and her husband, Guy van der Walt, started talking about alternatives.
The couple realised that they shared a passion for certain old-fashioned values, especially when it came to the way in which people were treated. They decided that these values would be the foundation of any new business they started. They also explored ideas of “beautiful things” that were difficult to source in South Africa. The result was the birth of the vintage lighting company Hoi P’loy.
You are originally from Thailand. How did you end up in South Africa?
Guy finished a three-month contract as a 3D animator and decided to surprise his dad, who was travelling around Thailand at the time. The plan was to return after two weeks, but Guy kept changing his return dates and finally ended up staying for nine months.
When travelling overseas we both enjoy connecting with people and cultures from the country, as it creates a much richer travel experience. And that is how our paths crossed.
After nine months spent between Bangkok and islands around Thailand, Guy started feeling homesick and went back to Cape Town. I went to visit him, but ended up staying permanently.
What did you do after settling in Cape Town?
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