The world is watching

All design eyes are turning to South Africa at the mo, what with Cape Town about to step up as World Design Capital 2014. Louis Vuitton, Lonely Planet, Wallpaper and more… the globe is coming to us and it’s going to be a ball!

Forming part of Louis Vuitton’s latest 15-volume collection, Cape Town is the first African city to be featured in the 15-year, 100-city history of LV’s guides. Exquisite monotone photography by Alain Willaume casts the city in an arty French light. There is also a section in which artist Beezy Bailey shares his personal highlights of the city.

“I have never visited Cape Town before but after discussing with authors, journalists, artists, businesspeople, I was convinced that if we have to select only one African city, we have to choose Cape Town, the most exciting and cosmopolitan one!” explained editorial director Julien Guerrier.

Possibly Julien has friends at Lonely Planet, which declared Cape Town third best travel destination in the world, after Paris and Trinidad. Stated Lonely Planet: “There’s never a bad time to visit Cape Town. In recent years the city has received a deluge of accolades paying homage to its undeniable natural beauty. This year the city is destined to get even prettier as it takes on the title of World Design Capital for 12 inspirational months.”

Further, the guide went on: “Expect sculpture-lined green spaces, sustainable projects, and further regeneration of former industrial districts such as Woodstock and The Fringe, now the stamping ground of trendy shoppers and gourmands.”

In turn, Wallpaper magazine took a broader look at South Africa as a whole – SA forming the S in their CIVETS (Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa) focus. States Wallpaper: “The term CIVETS was minted in 2009 when each of these countries seemed primed for economic super-growth. Since then, Egypt has flirted with civil war and Turkey has seen serious civil unrest. However behind the top line market figures, things still advance and their design scenes grow more confident.”

Besides a decor shot including Anatomy Design, Meyer von Wielligh, Wiid Design, Haldane Martin, Jasper Eales, 20 Eight, Adam Court and others, the November issue of Wallpaper features the Red Museum in Port Elizabeth (read VISI’s coverage here) and the Maboneng urban renewal district in Johannesburg (read VISI’s coverage here). Sean O’Toole also weighs in with an article about the World Design Capital 2014 (read VISI’s coverage here).

So Cape Town and South Africa, how does it feel to be in the limelight?

www.louisvuitton.com
www.lonelyplanet.com
www.wallpaper.com