Specialist boutique stores are opening up in Cape Town Central City like it’s going out of style. The latest of these is KLûK CGDT’s dream world in Bree Street. City Views took a peak.
“Everything inside our shop is a fantasy,” says Malcolm Klûk, one half of KLûK CGDT’s design dream team. “When you walk through the door the realities of life are no longer important.”
Klûk and his partner, Christiaan Gabriël Du Toit, have been in business together since 2003, and have recently moved from De Waterkant to the CBD. They have three lines: ready-to-wear – available off the rack and in sizes 30 to 40; couture and bridal – a bespoke, made-to-order service, ensuring exclusivity, service, design and luxury; and home – lifestyle products sourced internationally and locally including furniture, candles, objet d’art and even tea.
The new black
Malcolm and Christiaan are a visionary pair. You can see it not only their award-winning designs but in the bold black they chose to paint their CBD buildings – first the 1930s property they originally moved to and then the building next door that they custom built and now call home to their design style.
“We are told it was quite controversial to paint a building in the Central City black, which was such a surprise to us,” says Malcolm. “We have never stuck to ‘what is done’ or ‘what is right’. We want to step up each year to push the boundaries to keep South Africa in line with the rest of the world. We think this is probably what our success is down to – knowing when to make bold strokes and when to take stock.”
The dark paint frames the merchandise in the windows beautifully. It also gives the boutique a sense of gravitas. Architect Craig Kaplan and his team had the difficult task of realising KLûK CGDT’s dream. Recalls Malcolm: “The original building was built in the ‘30s (our favourite decade) and we wanted the new building to live within that environment but not be a cartoon version. It needed to be modern too.”
The ground and first floors are retail, with an office and bridal fitting room, bathrooms and kitchen. The second floor is production space with a separate kitchen and bathrooms that service the roof deck for events.
A bigger, better runway
The design duo moved to Bree Street because of their love for its width and trees. “We’d been watching the area for years and eventually something came up for us to buy. In fact, it was the building we always really wanted. It feels grown up to be in the Central City, and the buzz around this area is also a huge draw card,” explains Malcolm.
Their original building, which has now been rented out to a high-end bag company, came with a parking lot attached. The pair say it made financial sense to convert the parking into lettable space. “We then decided that if we were to build we may as well build something for us, with us in mind. It was important for us to build with the environment in mind too, with the buildings in the area in mind and also with the future in mind. We wanted a building to have some sense of place in the city for future generations.”
The fantasy world that beckons is hinted at in KLûK CGDT’s shop window, but you have to go in and try something on to fully appreciate what’s on offer. Says Malcolm: “We believe we offer the local customer an international experience; we don’t compromise in fabric, quality or design. We build relationships with our customers and design with them in mind.”
KLûK CGDT: 43-45 Bree St | www.klukcgdt.com, 083 377 7780
Cut from the same cloth: other CBD designer boutiques
Errol Arendz
A South African couturier not only known for dressing and styling many international and local celebrities but who’s been in the CBD since 1991.
66 Hout St | www.errolarendz.co.za, 021 461 1385
Hendrik Vermeulen Couture
An exclusive range of the designer’s prêt-à-porter ladies’ and men’s wear, resort wear and accessories.
79 Hout Lane | www.hendrikvermeulen.com, 021 424 1686
Elbeth Gillis
Known particularly for her beautiful bridalwear, Elbeth also designs exquisite evening and cocktail wear.
44 Bloem St | www.elbethgillis.co.za, 021 423 2220
This article first appeared in the December 2014 / January 2015 issue of City Views. Read it online.