studio
See inside
Filled with decor and design, stacks of magazines and local art, and bursting with creative energy and Pantone’s ‘illuminating’ Colour of the Year, take a look at LOOKBOOK’s studio
- WORDS AMELIA BROWN
- IMAGES EMMA JUDE JACKSON
- HERO IMAGE CHARL EDWARDS
LOOKBOOK was born of a passion for the décor and design industry and an unwavering belief in the value of the editor’s eye. Editors look at the macro and the micro, and are as concerned about the detail as they are about the bigger picture. The art of editing involves curation and context, knowing what to leave in as much as what to exclude to tell a compelling and complete story.
It was with this natural editor’s ability that LOOKBOOK’s Creative Director – and the Editor-in-Chief of House and Leisure – Charl Edwards compiled LOOKBOOK’s studio: An ‘edition’ that is a sum of its carefully considered, artfully styled parts.
The 57m2 studio is located in the historic Foundry precinct in Green Point, Cape Town. Interior architect Jan-Heyn Vorster of Malan Vorster architectural and interior design practice conceptualised the interior space. “The Foundry has a special character due to its rich history as Cape Town’s first-known commercial foundry, dating back to the late 1800s. The complex was sensitively converted into a mixed-use development in the late 90s,” explains Jan-Heyn. “The design concept for the studio space was to make it appear as if a white box – almost like an art gallery – was ‘inserted’ into the existing exposed brickwork envelope.”
Jan-Heyn skilfully sculpted a blank canvas for Charl to fill and, in doing so, to express LOOKBOOK’s manifesto: to showcase, spotlight and support décor and design. They share some behind-the-scenes insights on how they made it happen…
“The original space had more of an open-plan arrangement on the lower level and the mezzanine didn’t extend over the current seating area. We needed to accommodate a variety of functions in small footprint, and it was fun to design the spatial conversion to be somewhat sculptural within the existing constraints. Studios are hard-working places that needn’t be soulless. We wanted the space to be light and neat.” – Jan-Heyn
The space
“It all started with a lookbook, naturally! Now looking back it at, so much of what I collaged and used in my mood board materialised into what you see: From scamp to reality with every item. Lookbooks are a wonderful way to visualise how all of the separate parts and details can work together. We curated our dream studio, piece by piece.” – Charl
The idea
“It all started with a lookbook, naturally! Now looking back it at, so much of what I collaged and used in my mood board materialised into what you see: From scamp to reality with every item. Lookbooks are a wonderful way to visualise how all of the separate parts and details can work together. We curated our dream studio, piece by piece.” – Charl
The idea
Pendants from Delta Light; Emily sofa from Pezula Interiors; Sixth Floor Jed woven runner from Superbalist; Ostrich table from LIM; Iguba III Drum by Chuma Maweni from Southern Guild; Pavilion Lounge Chair by &Tradition from Créma; Ramen dining chair from Dark Horse; African cork stool from WIID Design. [Table and contents below.]
The process
“Magazines, perhaps unsurprisingly, were a major source of inspiration for the studio’s interior. I’ve always surrounded myself with them, so when I moved into the studio, so did my collection. It’s expanded since then and for a while we had an entire desk dedicated to some of our favourite editions or current sources of inspiration. We often joke that this collection is treated like a team member!” – Charl
The look
“The process of making our first lookbook (for LOOKBOOK) informed the mood for the space: a juxtaposition of different styles, materials and textures all unified by the palette. Colour-coding is an easy trick to create the illusion of order, a method that comes in very handy for a compact and busy studio.” – Charl
Motley Crew I (2020) by Chloe Townsend courtesy Salon Ninety One; Eames House Bird by Vitra from Créma; tray from Dokter and Misses.
Motley Crew I (2020) by Chloe Townsend courtesy Salon Ninety One; Eames House Bird by Vitra from Créma; tray from Dokter and Misses.
Mangbetu/Lupita floor lamp from The Urbanative. low carved bowl from Vorster & Braye.
“The magazines, our pinboard and the act of collage has informed – and continues to inform – the choice and mix of furniture, art and design. We wanted to create a studio space that felt lived-in, inviting and warm, so it was important to add many textures. A couch was essential to reinforce this mood. The yellow Emily sofa from Pezula Interiors, upholstered in the illuminating Elektra fabric by Stonehaus from Hertex, complements the ochre hue of the cork walls – our real-life Pinterest boards!” – Charl
The 'boardroom'
“Our first piece of furniture was a round table from Lemon. Gradually individual chairs were added around it. Each one has a different style and shape, but all of them were chosen for their eye- or face-like features. This area is the meeting hub and heart of our studio.” – Charl
62 round table from Lemon; liquorice and stitched polka dot place mats from Mia Mélange; crocheted vase, jars, leaves and flower by Peta Becker and Projekt; hardwood chair from James Mudge; Pinda school chair by Siyanda Mbele from Pinda Interior Design. Headless model I: Charl Edwards.
Untitled sketch by Michael Taylor; Uncover (2015) by Lakin Ogunbanwo courtesy WHATIFTHEWORLD; Alice’s Chalice by Eva Ceramics from Proto~; short neck zigzag vase by Clementina Ceramics.
“We wanted to accommodate a variety of functions in a very small space: a reception area with small kitchenette, a meeting area screened from the courtyard view, as well as to provide maximum workspace on the mezzanine level.” – Jan-Heyn
The workspace
“We wanted to accommodate a variety of functions in a very small space: a reception area with small kitchenette, a meeting area screened from the courtyard view, as well as to provide maximum workspace on the mezzanine level.” – Jan-Heyn
‘Piet Pienaar (III)’ by Peet Pienaar X Bielle Bellingham; ‘As Things Change’ and ‘The Excursionists’ by Lulama Wolf courtesy The Fourth; Picture Perfect rail by Joe Paine; anglepoise desk lamp from Eagle Lighting; Marset Bicoca table lamp from Newport Lighting; flake-rime vase from Vorster & Braye; paper trays and waste paper basket both from Design Afrika; Sugar Cube side table in Signal Yellow from Popstrukt; custom-made eye magnets by Lucie de Moyencourt; ace Task chair from Cecil Nurse.
The 'gallery'
Eyelash gourd basket by LOOKBOOK x Design Afrika; amphora from Ceri Müller Ceramics; roots vase and flake-rim bowl both from Vorster & Braye; vase by Jade Paton from AKJP Studio, stacked vases from H&M, Weylants and Vorster & Braye; untitled artwork by Ben Eagle. ‘Artefact of Perception I-II’ (2016), ‘Snake Abstract’ print and ‘Process: Ouroboros 4.1.1.’ all by David Brits.
The 'shopfront'
“It’s incredibly stimulating and immersive to be surrounded by the very design eye-candy that we aim to showcase through LOOKBOOK. Just like our pin boards offer the creativity and tactility of real-life collage, these shelves serve as a literal showcase where we can combine and curate. Seeing is believing!” – Charl
Designers on show include – Ceri Müller; Clementina van der Walt; Heather Moore; Jade Paton; Jan Ernst de Wet; Lungiswa Joe; Nicholas Koursaris; Renée Rossouw and Vorster & Braye. Diner bench from Houtlander; Robinson from Chommies; round braided carpet from Weylandts. Ceramic vase from Pezula Interiors. Headless model II: Sisipho Graham.
Designers on show include – Ceri Müller; Clementina van der Walt; Heather Moore; Jade Paton; Jan Ernst de Wet; Lungiswa Joe; Nicholas Koursaris; Renée Rossouw and Vorster & Braye. Diner bench from Houtlander; Robinson from Chommies; round braided carpet from Weylandts. Ceramic vase from Pezula Interiors. Headless model II: Sisipho Graham.
“It’s a joy to have a design-driven studio such as LOOKBOOK occupy the space and to see the synergy between the architectural design and the considered furniture and product installation, which underline the LOOKBOOK brand.” – Jan-Heyn
