Celebrating South Africa’s Creative Mavens during Women’s Month

Throughout history, women have consistently pushed boundaries and left an indelible mark on the world of design. From visionary interior designers to groundbreaking architects, women have defied expectations and shattered glass ceilings. Their passion, skill, and unwavering determination have propelled the local design industry to new heights, inspiring generations to come.

Women in design are a formidable force, showcasing their unparalleled creativity and achievements. And what better time to honour their ingenuity than during Women’s Month? This perfect alignment allows us to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions of these visionary women. Earlier this month, Decorex Joburg, 100% Design Africa and Design Joburg featured a host of powerful female designers who take the local industry to the next level.

Women’s Month applauds the extraordinary roles women play in all spheres of South African society, but for these three design authorities, the honour of hosting their shows during this significant time was an added opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary women of our design industry. These women put on a vibrant display of creativity and talent at the events, brought to you by Samsung, Plascon, Sanlam Private Wealth and Lexus, boasting the creative expertise of female creative directors, interior designers, milliners, architects, artists and more.

With their innovative ideas and boundary-pushing designs, these powerful women are propelling the local industry to new heights.

Interior designers

Tshegofatso Mochubi is the owner and designer behind Fatso Interiors, an emerging quality-oriented interior decor brand inspired by Mochubi’s combined love of fashion and art.

Bespoke home designer Kristin Hulda demonstrated how you can transform your space by adding custom design elements that inspire and feed your soul, while Distinguished Living, an interior design brand headed up by Boitsheko Ganyane, created a ‘Room Set’ that showed off her creative prowess.

The matri-architects

Led by Khensani de Klerk and Solange Mbanefo, Matri-Archi(tecture) is an association based between Switzerland and South Africa that aims to bring African women together for the development of spatial education in African cities.

Award-winning product design

A veritable doyenne of local design, Ronel Jordaan is a multiple-award-winning textile designer. Her hand-felted decor pieces and accessories, produced as part of a job-creation project she runs, are exported all over the world.

The hot young designer

Promising newcomer Nindya Bucktowar, one half of Durban-based bespoke ceramic studio Kalki Ceramics, exhibited as part of the Clout/SA stand at 100% Design Africa. In October 2022, she and her partner Nikhil Tricam were announced as the winners of the annual Nando’s Hot Young Designer Talent Search for their ‘Cactus’ server, which was displayed at the show.

Female thought leaders in the Future of Design Studio

Future of Design, an exciting fusion of physical and digital exhibits, interactive workshops, live demonstrations and presentations by South Africa’s top design authorities, who spoke about current and future issues facing the design industry.

Insightful talks were delivered by Hannerie Visser, the owner and creative director of food-focused design and brand consultancy Studio H; Tracy Lee Lynch, the designer behind Studio Lee Lynch and creative director of Clout/SA; and Georgia Black, the founder of micro festival producers Littlegig.

Sustainable chairs designed by women

Decorex Africa challenged local designers to create a signature chair that incorporates the five Rs — reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose and refuse — to be showcased at the central restaurant area of both Decorex Cape Town, which took place in June, and Decorex Joburg in August.

Garnering an astounding response from renowned local designers, the display included creations from the likes of Andrea Kleinloog of Hesse Kleinloog, Sanri Pienaar, Hannerie Visser and more. Unconventional surprises from visionary designers like maverick milliner Crystal Birch were another highlight.