Friends & Neighbours: The New Modernist
For our 2016 Lookbook, I had a brainwave to collaborate with local furniture designers and manufacturers, presenting one of their signature pieces in our new BRISE SOLEIL collection. I approached Emma de Crespigny of The New Modernist, who has recently opened the doors to a beautiful new shop in the BoKaap.
After looking at a number of options together, Emma decided to cover The New Modernist’s replica 50s sectional sofa in the Aperture print, in concrete. It turned out absolutely beautifully!
Emma was also kind enough to lend us loads of beautiful furniture from The New Modernist, which we used, alongside a yummy array of greys, soft pinks and burned orange tones to style her sofa in the California Modern look we put together for the Lookbook.
Let’s take a visit to The New Modernist, at 142 Buitengracht St, to find out more.
The New Modernist focuses on Modernism’s finest moments, showing lovingly restored, collectible pieces of 20th Century furniture. What sets it apart in Cape Town is that it is not all about Scandi style. Instead, it has unusual, investment pieces by key 20th century designers from all over Europe and the US, shown in gallery-style setting.
The New Modernist has also expanded into selected reproduction furniture, where classics of yesteryear are recreated in contemporary upholstery fabrics and finishes.
Emma has been operating as Galerie C20 for two years, but has recently relocated to new premises in the Bo Kaap, expanding their client base to include tourists as well as locals.
Apart from the Skinny laMinx lookbook collaboration, Emma recently collaborated with her BoKaap neighbour, Dylan Thomaz, who was invited to style the House and Garden Stand at Decorex. The New Modernist provided the furniture and lighting for the stand, in an ideal collaboration, with local designers collaborating to create a distinctly Capetonian style.
Thanks so much for being a great Cape Town neighbour, Emma! I’m looking forward to visiting your lovely store again soon.