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Artist Rodan Kane Hart designed the steel balustrade of the staircase leading up to the first floor. The paint colour is Plascon You’re my Sweetie o4-C2-2; and the horse-head wall mount and mushroom lamp are from Sobeit Studio. -
KLûK CGDT has added individually sourced homeware pieces to the brand’s offering. The steel table is by James B Hannah; the ceramic urn is from Wonki Ware; the rug is from Mae Artisan Rug. -
The restroom walls are upholstered in Vintage Crane fabric, and the pink flamingo is from Sobeit Studio. -
The duo’s private office is painted in a bold red (Plascon Passion Red from the Essential Collection). The rug is from Mae Artisan Rugs. -
The candles are from Yswara, Atmosphere and Salt; and all the other items are by KLûK CGDT. The wall colour is Plascon River God B2-D1-2.
PHOTOS Micky Hoyle PRODUCTION Sumien Brink WORDS Malibongwe Tyilo
Over the past couple of years, Cape Town’s Bree Street has experienced a rejuvenation, complete with hip coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants. Its latest addition, the three-storey KLûK CGDT flagship store, is among its grandest.
The new KLûK CGDT store, the third in addition to the Pretoria and Johannesburg branches, opened a few months ago during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town. Looking at the building, designed with its surroundings in mind, it is hard to imagine that two years ago there was practically nothing on this site.
“Nine out of ten people who walk in here think this is a restored building, which is a great compliment, because we wanted to build something with authenticity and integrity, something that fits into Cape Town,” says Christiaan Gabriël du Toit, one half of the KLûK CGDT duo.
This is not to say the store looks old and dated. Quite the opposite. The exterior of glass, brick and black wall makes a thoroughly modern statement. It’s the combination of these contemporary elements with historical detail that gives the building a sense of provenance.
It is the work of Craig Kaplan Architecture & Interiors, with Annemie van den Heever as project architect. “We kept it to a similar scale as the existing adjoining buildings,” says designer Craig Kaplan, “and referenced period architectural shapes and details that can be seen in early-20th-century buildings in the area. Such elements can be seen in the oversized arched openings on the first floor and the high sash windows and shutters above.”
On entering the store, you’re greeted by a pale shade of pink. “It’s called You’re My Sweetie [Plascon 04-C2-2],” says Malcolm Klûk, the other half of the design duo. One of this floor’s grander details is the stairwell leading up to the first floor, with a balustrade created by artist Rodan Kane Hart.
The first floor bears testament to Malcolm and Christiaan’s eye for detail and colour. They chose all the interior shades themselves: There’s the bridal room in pale pink, a blue room that houses the eveningwear, the sage-coloured courtyard, and the office with its plum palette. In-between these spaces, entrances are framed in a bright yellow that contrasts with the more muted tones.
The top floor houses the studio, which has the best views. “It’s very important to us that our staff are part of what we do, that they’re not hidden in some sweatshop,” says Malcolm. “They have been with us for a very long time, and they have to feel the brand as much as we do.”
It is a rarity in South Africa to find a clothing label that is able to custom-build its own store, let alone come up with one that is this grand. That fact doesn’t escape the duo. “Everything in this store is about indulging the client,” says Malcolm. “From the fragrance in the air to the music and the bubbly we offer, it’s about transporting you out of your everyday world and into a fantasy. We are not just flogging clothes; we’re offering an experience.”
