How it all started…
I was encouraged by the growing tourist market to South Africa and Cape Town in particular and saw it as an opportunity to merge it with my love for art and our burgeoning local creative talent – a winning combination when allowed to flourish under the guidance of my self-confessed shopping addiction…it also proved a healthy outlet for my addiction (wink wink).
What do you enjoy most about Cape Town?
There are a number of the things that make our city so special – the energy and beauty of the sea and mountains. The relaxed, friendly and embracing nature of the locals. Not forgetting the great restaurants, the culture and history – this city has so many fascinating layers to it.
What is Cape Town good for in terms of its retail therapy?
We are spoilt for choice – there’s art, clothing jewelry jewellery, ceramics, antiques, artefacts, wine, exotic leathers and so much more.
If a tourist wanted to do a mini art tour, where do they go?
There are a number of artist/creative hubs in Cape Town with a concentration of galleries in the City Centre, parts of the ever evolving Woodstock and Kalk Bay where many artists live and work. The new addition of the Zeitz Museum that opens this month is very exciting and will locally replicate the Tate.
Top ‘good value’ shopping experience
The way to get the ‘best value’ shopping experience is to enlist the expertise of a shopping specialists like myself – it is tailor made for you, it saves you time and ensures you are given a shopping experience that speaks directly to your taste and interests.
Your personal favourite shops….
It’s a difficult question, because there are so many fantastic shops in Cape Town…I do however have my favourite shopping hubs – Cape Quarter, Kalk Bay, Franschhoek and Woodstock’s Biscuit Mill are littered with shopping gems.
Tell us something that people do not know you can arrange
One of my greatest strengths is that I am well connected with top South African artists and have relationships with them built up and maintained over many years. I can therefore set up private viewings for my clients and arrange for special commission work to be done. For example I have a renowned sculpture artist on my books who has been privately commissioned by Tiger Woods’ mother. Completely away from shopping, one client broke their tooth on Christmas Eve – I managed to persuade my dentist to open his surgery up half an hour later so my client looked good as new for Christmas Day! I have also arranged for an umpire from Bermuda to umpire a cricket match at Western Province Cricket Club – it is all about making the experiences personal to them.
Start the day with….
A finely brewed coffee at Truth Coffee.
Enjoy a drink at…
1682 at Steenberg – a glass of crisp, dry white wine or even a cocktail is the perfect way to start the evening.
A perfect day off would be…
Heading to the beautiful Babylonstoren Spa in the Winelands.
Which three restaurants are a must when visiting The Cape?
To be fair, I have to list more than three……..La Colombe (they have another exciting new restaurant opening in Franschhoek at the end of the year), Test Kitchen, Food Barn, Babel,Tintswalo, Harbor House, 1682 Steenberg. I could go on!