With the month of love upon us we decided to show some love and get to know our community members who inspire us with the creative work which they do. It’s always special for us seeing customers come into store and interpret items in their own unique way but we wanted to know what leads them to expressing themselves in their own way and how this impacts their work.

We sat down with fashion designer Ulfah Davids of fashion brand U Be You, multidisciplinary creative Keith Virgo and dreamy painter Anico Mostert.

U BeYou is a relatively young brand bringing a fun energy to Cape Town fashion. Founded by Ulfa Davids who was previously a key designer of well loved local streetwear brand, TWOBOP known for cutting edge style at such great quality that a few pieces often end up in our store. Branching off to create her own brand, the quality of experience shines through. U Be You makes choices to make sure that it is a brand for everyone. These made to order colourful pieces tied with gender neutrality to put a smile on anyone’s face, including ours. We were keen to learn a it more about the process.

1. What were the first steps you took to start creating and sharing your art? 

Studying fashion was basically the first step. The collection I made in my 3rd year was the first collection which I was really proud of. I was lucky because my network of friends basically shared my collection for me - I think that collection was shot 3 times by 3 different photographers. 

2. Has personal style/fashion influenced your practice? If so, how?

Definitely! However, I would wear more of my stuff if I made it in black! I literally don’t wear that much colour but the clothes I make are always bright. My mind is bright and colourful (like my clothes) but I’m a reserved person so black allows me to blend in. Everything is inspired by menswear silhouettes. I love structured garments and that can be seen in the way I design. 

3. What steps do you take to keep learning and growing?

I confront my inner demons and question myself when I don’t like something I’ve done or said. I’ll usually ask myself what has caused me to do this, what was I feeling and how can I learn or curb negative traits/characteristics. I often need to remind myself that I am a human and I need to make mistakes in order to learn. That way things feel easier to not be too hard on myself when sh** hits the fan

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?

The streets, nostalgia, instagram, old men, my friends, mom and grandma 

5. What is your favourite item of clothing, and why?

Probably my Samson dungaree. I can eat a lot in it and it won’t sit vas on my tummy. I just throw it on whenever I feel smet and feel cute. Makes me feel like a big baby and I love feeling like that!

6. What is your favourite piece you have ever created?

Wow! Hard to say! Each piece represents something different to me so I can’t really say. 

Anico Mostert’s whimsical painterly style has taken us on a journey, turning the melancholic moments of life into a hazy day dream. Represented by RK Gallery, graduating from Michelis in 2017, her body of work feels like a collection of fond memories. Anico often pops by the store and we wanted to find out a bit more about her practice and inspirations.  

1. What were the first steps you took to start creating and sharing your art?

I started making small drawings/paintings using oil pastels and oil paint in my room. The smell of turps next to your bed is not the best so I converted our old wendy house into a studio space. Between experimenting with oil paint and settling into my little wendy house studio I also started a separate Instagram account to share my work. This felt super scary at first but for a while I only had friends and family following that account which made sharing images of my work feel a bit safer.

2. Has personal style/fashion influenced your practice? If so, how?

Definitely, Whenever I see someone wear a delicious colour combo I feel inspired! and now that I think about it as soon as I started painting I felt more comfortable wearing bolder more colourful clothing.

3. What steps do you take to keep learning and growing?

Talking to other people about their work and creative practice is a great way of learning. I also think experimenting and trying new things/ideas is very necessary to grow as a artist.

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?

From a lot of different things around me like Friends/Social media/experiences/ interactions with people/beautiful or interesting spaces etc.

5. What is your favourite item of clothing, and why?

A bright pink hat with fake diamonds on it that I bought at a second hand shop a few years ago. I love it because it's actually a little bit ridiculous.

6. What is your favourite piece you have ever created?

I painted a women sitting on a chair wearing a big hat a while ago. I think that's one of my favourites because she's got the vibe and attitude I want.

7. What is your most memorable moment/item from Better Half?

I bought silver earrings from Better Half last year that I always wear. Whenever I take them out I feel like something is missing.

Keith Virgo is a multi-disciplinary creative in as many ways that the phrase can possibly be extended. His choice of mediums varies from fashion pieces using wool or clay, photography, pastel drawings and music too. More recently his expression in wool has been captivating us. We had to take a moment to show appreciation and get to know the process behind his choices.

1. What were the first steps you took to start creating and sharing your art?

The first steps I took was to find something I enjoyed creating even if I had to create it for free. This helped with my creative process to be more multi-disciplinary as I didn’t equate my creativity to money or being defined by it. 

2. Has personal style/fashion influenced your practice? If so, how?

Personal style has influenced my practice by making me more aware of what I’m wearing when I’m working, I’ve made the switch of not always wanting to look good but feel good as well. So I switched to getting more comfortable clothes that look good then clothes that just look good with no comfort. This has adopted into my everyday style. I need to feel comfortable in my clothes when I’m creating even when I don’t look good.

3. What steps do you take to keep learning and growing?

I always go into a space with an open mind. Never going into a space thinking I know everything. I leave some room open for what I don’t know so I can apply it to what I do know. Having the balance of knowing and not knowing has allowed me to be more open minded in my art.

4. Where do you draw inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from fellow artists, everyday people, just life in general. Also doing something for somebody else is also inspiring especially on days when I’m not feeling my best.

5. What is your favourite item of clothing, and why?

My favorite item of clothing are my pair of black grasshopper shoes. I’ve had these shoes since 2016 when I first got to Cape Town. For a good year and half they were the only pair of shoes I had. So I did everything with them. I still have them today and they still look and feel as good.

6. What is your favourite piece you have ever created? 

All my pieces are my favorite. It’s difficult to pick, but my recent favorite has to be the hand knitted jersey I made for Yui from Wanida Boutique.

7. What is your most memorable moment/item from Better Half?

I love their rugs, I sometimes just come into the store to look at them. They are one of the items I enjoy. I also enjoy how all the different items compliment each other’s in a way that creates a serene colour pallete and atmosphere. It’s welcoming.