Terres d’Afrique

WORDS Lisa Johnston

“We are everything a skincare brand isn’t, we don’t do things the normal way,” says founder of Terres d’Afrique, Stephan Helary. Speaking from the brand’s flagship store in Joburg’s Maboneng Precinct, Stephan says that the aim of the store is to create an experience through which people can learn about the product. The arty location provides an opportunity for the brand to engage with like-minded traders and people who seek out unique products.

The products are unisex, and the design and packaging of the brand is clean and minimal, with a nod to the internationally acclaimed Aesop stores. “We are everything a skincare brand isn’t, we don’t do things the normal way,” says founder of Terres d’Afrique, Stephan Helary. Speaking from the brand’s flagship store in Joburg’s Maboneng Precinct, Stephan says that the aim of the store is to create an experience through which people can learn about the product.  The difference is that the creams, fragrances, masks and scrubs are made from Africa’s broad botanical pharmacopoeia. Indigenous ingredients such as buchu, Kalahari melon and kigelia are used for their curative and restorative properties, and are harvested according to the ethical and environmental criteria of the fair trade and environmental organisations of Phytotrade Africa and Ecocert.

With its one-year anniversary behind it, Terres d’Afrique can proudly proclaim that by “doing things differently” they have created an authentic African persona. Wanting to harness the best of Africa and take it to the rest of the world, they’ve partnered with parfumier Tammy Frazer to craft fragrances from three African resins – omumbiri, omutati and opoponax – and are also currently working on a range of distinctive teas.

Terres d’Afrique, 3 Revolution House, corner Main and Kruger streets, Maboneng, 078 953 5051
For stockists and spas visit terres-dafrique.com