I LAUNCHED MY FIRST BABY, Something Good, in 2018," Zydia Botes explains from her peaceful studio space in Ferndale, Johannesburg. Her label was born from a need to slow down and make something meaningful; today, the collaborative brand works with artists and designers to create eyecatching blankets and textile pieces. Not one to rest on her laurels, Zydia is also co-founder of luxury knitwear label Romaria, which creates timeless, non-seasonal clothing.
* HOW THE BRANDS WERE BORN "I studied the business side of fashion with the goal of becoming a buyer. Instead, I ended up working on the supply side of the industry for 10 years. I was overworked and travelling constantly, always pressured by delivery dates. I needed a change. I wanted to look into how design could have a positive impact on my life, and the life of every person connected to the project. This meant challenging mass production and focusing on quality and the making process.
"I discovered some really cool artists and illustrators on Instagram and had the idea to translate their art into blankets. I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and I'd said that before the age of 30 I would like to have my own business. I put a proposal together and I sent it out to a few of my favourite designers and artists, with the idea that it would be a once-off project. It was a shot in the dark, yet their feedback was so encouraging; they loved the concept of having their artworks transformed into blankets.
"From there, we put together an exhibition with six artist-designed blankets, all created by women. Then the Sunday Times featured us, and I started receiving orders. I decided to pursue Something Good, and resigned from my job within a month.
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Denne historien er fra 132-utgaven av VISI.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN ICON
With a long line of very successful ancestors, the new-generation TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PRADO had some big tyres to fill. We look at the approach its design team took to CONTINUE THE LEGACY.
THROUGH THE LENS
We asked one of VISI's favourite photographers, PARIS BRUMMER, to choose her four FAVOURITE CAMERAS. The brief? \"From the fun to the profesh!\"
YOUR GARDEN DAY CROWN
Gardens have the power to unite us - which is why the GARDEN DAY movement encourages plant enthusiasts to don a flower crown and CELEBRATE THEIR GREEN SPACES in unique ways.
RETRO-LICIOUS
Mid-century is not just making an interior design comeback: food is following right behind. So put on your vintage 1950s LUCIENNE DAY-PRINT APRON - or '70s HALSTON JUMPSUIT if you're feeling a little funkier - and get inspired by ABIGAIL DONNELLY's reimagining of classic dishes. Think moulded jellies, finger foods and soft-serve ice cream.
FERMENTATION
When you hear about FERMENTED FOODS, your mind probably goes to pickles and beer. But thanks to a growing interest in Asian staples such as kimchi and miso, we're becoming more used to these flavour profiles, and even seeing them in fine-dining restaurants. We asked ABIGAIL DONNELLY to share her favourite recipes for fermented flavour bombs that you can replicate in your OWN KITCHEN.
THE CERAMICIST
IN AN ART DECO BLOCK IN THE HEART OF CAPE TOWN'S CITY CENTRE, RENOWNED CERAMICIST MERVYN GERS HAS RENOVATED AN APARTMENT TO REFLECT HIS OWN TASTES AND HIS LOVE FOR FIRED AND GLAZED CLAY.
SEAMLESS
SITUATED ON A PRIVATE GAME FARM NEAR RUSTENBURG, THIS BUSHVELD GETAWAY HAS ARISEN FROM THE ASHES OF ITS PREDECESSOR TO PROVIDE ITS JOBURG-BASED OWNERS WITH A TRANQUIL WEEKEND ESCAPE.
BUILDING AN ICON
Kevin Fellingham, principal architect at Kevin Fellingham Architects, and a former lecturer at Cambridge University, UCT and the School of Explorative Architecture, talks about HOUSE HANSON and DENSTONE COURT, built in 1937/38.
THE VANGUARD KELLY WEARSTLER
In this instalment of our series on the new wave of INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS, we look at the super-talented Kelly Wearstler's DISTINCT STYLE and seemingly INFINITE CREATIVITY.
COOL COLLAB OF THE YEAR
In a partnership that highlights the strength and diversity of local talent, this collaboration by LULASCLAN and POPSTRUKT had an unplanned helping hand from VISI.
