Colourful dog accessory brand Chommies has partnered with South African designer Piet Pienaar to bring a playful twist to the official VIP bags for Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025.
WORDS Gina Dionisio
Known for reimagining pet accessories, Chommies is bringing its distinctive creativity and craftsmanship to the art world in an unexpected and delightful collaboration with renowned South African designer Piet Pienaar. Inspired by Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025’s theme, PLAY, this collaboration reimagines the official VIP bags with a bold, design-driven approach.
While the motif may appear to be a lighthearted scene of dogs at play, it’s imbued with a thoughtful exploration of how history, culture, and personal experiences roll together. “The brief from Chommies was to create a pattern that hints at the lifestyle of dog owners – a motif that could be used as an allover print on a bag and other fabrics,” explains Piet.
Piet approached this challenge through a deep dive into the imagery of dogs in an African context, exploring their presence in ancient Egyptian art, indigenous rock paintings, colonial history, and contemporary branding. “Dogs and imagery of dogs have stepped in and out of many cultures in Africa and have influenced the visual culture around us with profoundness,” he notes. His research unearthed the profound ways dogs have influenced visual culture across time, often shifting between symbolic, functional, and deeply personal roles in people’s lives.
For the project, the designer opted for a soft palette that felt inviting and approachable. “The idea was to focus on the playfulness and massive influence of dogs rather than the security and hunting side,” says Piet. The resulting design captures the spirit of playfulness, interwoven with deep cultural narratives.
As with much of his work, Piet embeds layers of meaning within his designs. This pattern serves as a visual cypher, referencing the deep cultural significance of dogs across Africa. “For this design, I’m using this as a foundation and gathering visual references from various sources. My aim is to visually demonstrate the interconnectedness of cultures through historical and cultural influences, even though for some it might just look like a fun afternoon with dogs,” he explains.
While you might not be able to get your paws on the special VIP Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025 bags (unless you are a VIP), you can stop by the Chommies stand over the weekend and pick up something special for your furry friend – the brand will be debuting its brand-new colourways in the iconic Mother City Collection. | chommies.com
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