March 17, 2009 – 11:56 am
Both Twiice showrooms hosted a limited seating whisky tasting last night (Thursday 12th March) - and what a perfect way to end a busy day…sit down, learn about the drink at hand and catch up with clients and colleagues!
The evening was hosted by the College of Whisky - who did a fantastic job organising the set up, snacks and clearing - and of coure, not to forget presenting a drink that began and ended with the master, that being Johnny Walker Black Label.
It was a great success and a very enjoyable evening, perhaps the kind one wants every Thursday night to wind down after the weeks, and prepare for the weekend ahead?
The Design Conference at the Design Indaba is known to be the best in the world, an idea of its stand is when such designers as Patricia Urquiola, the Bourollec brothers, Marcel Wander and trend forecastor, Li Edelkoort make their way to our windy shores, so that they can attend and speak!
My question though is why the expo does not match the conference, why the designs on show do not test the water in their daring. There is so much talent, there is so much thought that has not been turned into product, but where was it? The expo seems still to be something of a craft market with jewelry, beads and cloths - fantastic for those overseas but I feel keeping ourselves and our design stagnant. There needs to be innovation shown, new materials played with - there needs to be a “wow”.
I am not saying the expo was bad - but the truth is; I just feel there is more, it seems as though we are too scared to immerse ourselves completely in the deep end. I did see some fabulous stands, Visi - as always, Haldane Martin’s couch and table I enjoyed and yes, there were others; but it was a week dedicated to design, a week in which great designer were honoured, I know with certainty that more is out there that could have and should have been on show, perhaps there is fear but don’t be scared is my advise - rock the boat, create a stir - be what you are …. a designer!
“I don’t think I can have another drink,” I heard many a person say last week - and then as they grabbed for another glass of the bubble, the mumble would be, “maybe just one.”
This should be the quote of the week!
It was - as I am sure many of you know - the Visi Designer of the Year Awards last Wednesday the 25th February. Twiice sponsored the winner with the magnificent and decadent Daybed; yearned for by many. Our blofields and Lazy Jacks were part of the ‘furniture’ seeming rather comfortable out in the convivial mood on the Sky bar’s desk (located at the top of the Cape Royale Hotel). The venue was exquisite, arrival was just in time for Cape Town’s beautiful sunset creating a warm blanket on this fantastic city, the guests were a mixiture of glamorous and casually cool, a great fusion of design from all walks - sipping on sparkling wine, knocking back tasty oysters, speaking to the people who share your walk of life it’s a great escape and life is good! Amazing in a week of design, design, design, to me everything just seems so more prominent, so much more beautiful - this city I realise is indeed the best of the best!
The amazing Li Edelkoort (the famed trend forecastor for those of you who do not know) announced Boyd Ferguson of Cecile and Boyd as the winner. Boyd won for the Hout Bay Manor where Twiice supplied Verpan lights for the rooms - the project is a definite and inspirational must see for all; and it is undoubtedly a deserved win. But, as Li Edelkoort quite rightly said, it’s an extremely difficult choice one has to make in choosing a winner, I do know this from past awards, especially when the caliber is one so high and the designs so different and hard to compare - but there must be one, for then why have an awards ceremony and Boyd did a magnificent job; go to the Hout Bay Manor and it’s a great escape but yet still a celebration of Africa - and then simply it is a must see!
Congratulations Boyd!
The Design Indaba made a busy week for the creative minds - it began for Twiice on Tuesday as the acclaimed and one of my favourite designers Patricia Urquiola spoke at the Axor press conference (she is to design a new range of their bathrooms, joining the likes of Philippe Starck and Antonio Citterio)
Twiice received a call from Axors PR Consultancy firm asking if we would mind lending them some of the chairs designed by the designer herself. What does one say? “Thanks, but no thanks Patricia - you may not sit on the chair that you conceived!” - so it was that we - naturally - said yes, and what better than the new Frilly to be the chosen chair, a quaint chair that has become one of my favourites as it is so unashamedly girlish!
A staff member attended the conference, the feedback was the venue breathtaking with views that only Cape Town has to offer; amazing architecture and the famed mountains stood proud. Sparking wine flowed, delicious canapes were served and the weather was calm and balmy making it one of those evenings when one falls in love with the city; when tourists become residents.
Patricia herself, I am told, is Spanish personified - gesticulating hands, a fiery passion, vibrant and seemingly in love with conversation! But then let us not forget that this is a woman at the top of the game in a mostly male world, where she designs without apologies products that exude femininity and so we should always have known that she would be an impressive meet!
February 18, 2009 – 4:19 pm
Design Madness is here with the Indaba starting in Cape Town next week. It is a crazy and exciting time of the year, as the passion of our industry is realised and talent emerges. I can feel that the minds are changing, slowly people are realising the importance of design and the longevity it holds for our time. There are events to attend: to honour the design talents of 2008 both established and those in training (students) - I always enjoy attending such dos, catching up with people from the past, something one seldom has to do these days is enjoy a drink with a like minded person due to the frenetic lifestyles we find ourselves leading.
There are some great talents that will be on these shores - Li Edelkoort, Marcel Wanders and Patricia Urquiola to name a few - some big names in a country of great emerging talent.
I am excited, these are exciting times - yes there is a credit crunch but what does come out of it are more creative ways of thinking and interesting partnerships made!
January 26, 2009 – 4:27 pm
It’s a chameleon in a bag; more than hot air - an item that can transform any area into your own living space; the BloField - it’s a sofa that makes furniture fun!
Imagine it in a field; on the beach, on your terrace, in the living room; in your office waiting room, imagine it that wherever the mind travels so too can this sofa.
And it’s now in StOre at both Johannesburg and Cape Town showrooms.
December 4, 2008 – 11:45 am
It’s year end, I can feel the energy in the air - Summer has finally arrived in Cape Town, days are longer, yet heads are perhaps more fuzzy the next morning; until afternoon when the sun beckons you to join it and partake on more bubbly in its radiance.
Of course, it’s all manic times at work; getting in last minute deals, tying up last minute matters and ensuring that when we close all is done so that minds on holiday are at peace and not panicking about what was forgotten, a little too late if such be the case.
There are containers coming in, installations taking place, and ’til the end orders coming through - it has been quite a year for us at Twiice, the best year yet - something I am dearly grateful for during this time of ‘depression’ worldwide. Design is timeless, and slowly I can feel that the consumer is waking up; learning and understanding the value of what they buy - it’s not always about how many notes are relieved from ones wallet! I thank our clients that have stood by design, that have supported us in 2008, that of course have been the cause of it being a successful twelve months.
I am excited about the new year that waits, there are some truly wonderful products out there that shall be revealed - fun and most certainly not seen before! There are some great events lined up that should excite design aficionados - we shall thrill as at Twiice we do enjoy keeping you guessing - but what I can say, is that we have the best of the best, however I do not forget the value and importance of local design and the promotion and investment that should be put into it!
I have no doubt 2009 will be a year like no other, just as 2008 has been a year that has stood out as our best yet!
October 14, 2008 – 2:53 pm
The year is almost over, 2008 gone and 2009 to be! I thought it would be good to have a look at what a couple of trends for 2009 may be - I say may, as I could be completely off the mark, but it is fun nonetheless; and it is the business of course that we are in!
First things; furniture is a gender; the chair will have an either masculine or feminine feel - as with the latest chairs from Kartell ; firstly the Frilly - she that is more definitely feminine in bright fun colours such as pinks and oranges; it is a chair that oozes female sexuality - if a chair can do thus! Designer of the Frilly, Patricia Urquiola has the female evident in all her designs; she is proudly woman and this comes out in her sofas, tables and chairs.
Then there is the Hi Cut chair, another Kartell chair that to me is the He of the Frilly - especially in the black, a chair that is the typical alpha male; quite hard to miss and it is more so as evident of Philippe Starck who I think designs such - the Louis Ghost for example is the patriarch of the Ghost family with Victoria the rather submissive Matriarch.
Colour will be evident I think next year; a mixing of the bright fun colours of our childhood - the grays and the monochromes are gone and we are walking in to fun times at home and at the office. Oranges, pinks, blues, yellows - all put together to bring playfulness back into our lives.
The office is the home, or will become so - we spend most of our hours there and so gone will be the purchasing of antiquated stiff looking desks and aesthetically unpleasing chairs but it will be considered that the more comfortable and plush looking your work place is the more you will want to go and work overtime - and comfort is of the essence. Closed offices and cubicles are also something of the past and so in and open planned office we need pause areas, comfortable couching for laid back meetings and so on.
So for now just a taste of what is to come - with more I assure in the next few weeks!
Enjoy.
September 22, 2008 – 4:34 pm
I love my job and with that design has become and has stayed my passion; for those of us that are lucky to be immersed in such a great industry I find that the duty we have is to educate those that are not so design clued up. This is my mission, this is what I hope to achieve; to make South African’s understand and grasp the value of design.
It is not their fault for not being design savvy; but if you are going to buy an item then stop and think about why you are buying it. Is it the aesthetic, are you looking for something not seen before, is it the cost, do you think that this is all you can get for the price so you stop the looking and purchase then and there? What are the reasons - think about this before you go out to buy and remember - never buy hungry! Hungry makes you less discerning, it makes you settle for less than you desire.
I don’t expect everyone to buy originals, however I do want for people to know the value of what they are electing to take into their home - remember designer furniture is like art - purchase it and take it into your home and there it shall remain. Like art, do not go out and buy on a whim, this is where the mistake is made of buying cheap knock offs that do not last for much over a year and so subsequently you have recurring costs. Think about it, know your materials - gone should the delusion be that plastic is cheap, polycarbonate is the most durable material, it will last you a life time, it will NOT snap or damage so then why don’t you save and purchase something that not only looks better but will last longer meaning money in essence is saved on what appears to be the more expensive item. Ok, perhaps someone does not want to buy modern or new or plastic for that matter, still - do not settle for that sofa that may look nice and is cheap in not only monies but in materials, why don’t you try vintage, re-upholster - make the item yours!
Basically, my job in educating is a process, and where do we start? Students, the youth - those that in ten years are the ones specifying, buying, selling; they are the ones with free and open minds. For now please what I ask is for you to heed the words I tell you - cheaper is down the line a lot more expensive and don’t we all in this present day want to know that we are saving - and doesn’t it give you a sense of something knowing that you have saved on something that is the highest quality!
September 11, 2008 – 4:10 pm
Twiice’s Johannesburg Grand Opening was held last Thursday (4th September) and as expected it was an event that did not disappoint - I am proud to call it a success!
The showroom at 1 Jellicoe Avenue charms the eyes with the space seeming as though it was made for the products - the best designs from our suppliers Vitra, Moroso, Kartell, B&B Italia and Gandia Blasco. As many of the guests did mention, it is impossible not to notice the showroom when driving past for the building stands out proud with the furniture by no means getting lost in the gorgeous space but rather flourishing.
The evening was convivial with over two hundred of our clients enjoying Johannesburg’s mild weather (away from the fierce Cape storms), drinking the fantastic cocktails by Liquid chefs that I suppose led to tipsy feet dancing along to the great music by DJ Rene.
Thanks for all the support - and finally the Twiice Johannesburg showroom at 1 Jellicoe Avenue is now open to the public!
