7 Best Places to Shop in Cape Town, South Africa

This brilliantly curated concept store brings together a broad spectrum of South African designers who are either at the top of their game or rising fast. From beautiful clothing and accessories, handwoven grass baskets, and clay vases to beaded ornamental animals and locally developed fragrances and skincare products, there's a wide choice of functional and decorative products perfect for souvenirs and gifts or for you to wear right now. Between the coveted brands and labels, there's a line of goods made by in-house and up-and-coming designers, making this a place not only to browse and learn about local creativity but somewhere you'll want to haul out your credit card.

This spot houses two distinctively African brands under one roof. Chill Cape Town is a range of luxurious, utterly organic, all-natural, sustainable skincare conceptualized in the Mother City and made with African botanicals. Milles Collines is a clothing, accessories, apparel, and homeware brand born out of a partnership between a Rwandan seamstress and a Spanish design student who shared a dream of creating a luxurious line steeped in age-old craft traditions and exacting quality. Think gorgeous gold-and-black Halisi shawls, beautiful Kichana wraps, and shoulder-to-ankle Imara scarves.

Open since 1957, Clarke's specializes in African literature and nonfiction works, with a specific focus on southern Africa. There are new and second books to browse, including contemporary current affairs and historical rare finds. 

A surf brand named for an African water deity, this lovely boutique showcases distinctively African surfwear, boards, casual clothing, and beach gear. Even if you don't surf, plan a visit to look into the creative mind of artist-designer Peet Pienaar who creates illustrated graphics, imaging, and patterns for this world-class fashion label. You will also find them at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market. The company is also linked to an amazing charity called Waves for Change which teaches children to surf in places like Liberia.

There are scores of high-end international labels represented by showy, extravagant boutiques within the V&A's main mall, but make the effort to seek out this shop created by South African fashion hero Laduma Ngxokolo, whose world-class luxury clothing mixes a bold love of history with a deep understanding of contemporary aesthetics. The brilliant entrepreneurial Eastern Cape textile designer learned about knitwear from his mother who sold second-hand clothes door-to-door to make ends meet. Now, having channeled his mother's courage and developed the skills of pattern making, textile design (ever inspired by Xhosa beadwork's intricate patterns, colors, and symbolism), and imaginative tailoring, his clothing line is at the very pinnacle of high-end African fashion. Even if you step inside only to get a peek at the result of his relentless hard work, this shop represents so much more than just a label that's captured the fashion world's imagination—Laduma is an exalted inspiration to countless young designers across the country.

Behind its original Victorian facade you’ll discover one of Cape Town's most appealing collection of garments by African designers—labels to look for include Maxhosa Africa, Rich Mnisi, Sindiso Khumalo, Lukhanyo Mdingi, and MmusoMaxwell. Besides clothing, there are scene-stealing displays of top-end accessories, housewares, fragrances, ceramics, artworks, and books. The store's founder, designer Hanneli Rupert, conceived it as a concept store dedicated to sophisticated African design—she fashioned a dreamy, pared-down interior that’s as appealing as the goods on display.

Cape Town’s Katherine-Mary Pichulik has achieved global renown for her distinct jewelry designs. Inspired by her travels, she first gained attention by using rope combined with recycled glass, brass, fossils, stones, and other raw materials to create eye-catching neckpieces that are a remarkable reflection of African ornamentation. At this atelier just off Bree Street, you can find out more about the ethical brand and see the latest designs; be prepared to haul out your credit card for accessories that now also include earrings and bracelets, all of which retain that original spark of inspiration from Africa.