Natural Extension

With its unique aesthetic that combines both contemporary and Brutalist references, the Atlantic Seaboard home of KLûK CGDT’s founders is evidence that the pair’s immense design prowess goes far beyond fashion.

- Kerryn Fischer

When it comes to the architecture of our buildings, we are our worst bridezilla client,’ says fashion designer Malcolm Kluk who, together with his business and life partner Christiaan Gabriel Du Toit, has been creating prêt-à-porter, bridalwear and couture for almost two decades under their label KLûK CGDT. In recent years, their passion for interiors, design and architecture has seen the pair add property to their design portfolio.

‘It all started when we decided to design and build our own headquarters in Cape Town’s Bree Street,’ says Christiaan in reference to the three-storey building that encompasses their showroom, design studio and a penthouse apartment. So enjoyable was the project that they decided to redevelop their former home in Fresnaye into nine residential units, and have bought other properties such as this one on the Atlantic Seaboard to redevelop, too. ‘It’s become an extension of our design process,’ says Malcolm. ‘We wanted to create properties with the same exclusivity, uniqueness and sophistication as we do with our fashion.’

But it’s their attention to detail – at a level unusual for property, they say – that has transformed them into their own worst clients. ‘Such is our passion that we scrutinise every detail and are constantly revising and refining,’ says Malcolm. ‘We don’t subscribe to the “oysters in season” school of thought, and so no architect in their right mind should take us on.’