In celebrating Women’s Month, the CCID spoke to female leaders in government, business and civic society in the Central City. We published some of their comments in the Winter 2016 issue of City Views. Here is a Q&A with Heather Moore, owner of Skinny laMinx. Stay tuned throughout August to meet more wonder women of the Cape Town CBD.
What brought you to the CBD in the first place and how long have you been here?
I moved here from Pietermaritzburg in 1996, very much in love with the idea of experiencing big city life, so it made sense to me that I’d live and work in the heart of Cape Town, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last 20 years! I’ve always had a studio in town, first on Long Street, then Hout Street, then Buitengracht. Now I live with my husband in an apartment off Kloof Street, just a short walk away from our store and studio at 201 Bree St.
What makes Skinny laMinx unique or unusual?
Skinny laMinx is not a business that operates on the basis of trends or fashion, and is very much an expression of what is interesting me as a designer. The designs and fabrics that we sell, therefore, not only have aesthetic appeal, they also have a great story to them.
Why did you want to do this kind of work?
I’m a self-taught designer and got interested in the idea of making and selling things when I first got a broadband connection and discovered the Etsy site. I saw all the things people were making and selling and decided that it was something I wanted to do.
What would you like to see in the CBD in terms of services, venues and retail offerings that you think would bring more business to the area (and complement your own)?
I love my neighbourhood and have made lots of friends with fellow shopkeepers on Bree Street, but I would like to see a lot more retail stores alongside the restaurants, so that Bree becomes an even more unmissable shopping destination for locals and tourists alike.
What is it about the Cape Town CBD that you enjoy?
I love being able to walk from one end of town to the other, especially when it involves taking a shortcut through The Company’s Gardens. Living in the CBD is brilliant for going out to eat too, as everything is walkable, or a short Uber ride away! And now that so many of the sidewalks have been expanded and more trees have been planted, it is becoming a much more pedestrian-friendly city.
Outside of your work environment, what is your favourite place or spot in the CBD?
I’ve got lots of favourite spots, like the Book Lounge and The Company's Gardens, but every Friday morning, we meet a bunch of friends for breakfast at New York Bagels in Harrington Street, so I'll name that one.
What has been your best time in the CBD?
We had so much fun in January this year when we had Open Streets on Bree Street. We set up a Skinny Photo Studio outside the shop where people could dress up in Skinny laMinx camouflage for selfie opportunities.
If you had a lunch hour free to yourself, how would you spend it in the CBD?
I’d grab a coffee from Jason Bakery and head down to The Company’s Gardens with a sketchbook and draw plants, people and squirrels, and then take a detour through the St George’s Cathedral bric-a-brac shop on the way back to my shop.
Skinny laMinx
201 Bree St
http://skinnylaminx.com
021 424 6290