subject: Specialist Items to look for in Cape Town [print this page] Specialist Items to look for in Cape Town
The favourable international exchange rate makes South Africa a shopper's paradise for the overseas visitor. Cape Town offers a great variety of domestic and imported goods including gold and diamonds. South Africa is world famous for sparkling gems, jewellery, leather goods, African curios, art, antiques and ceramics.
Since the days of the Kimberley diamond rush, South Africa has been a major centre for diamonds. With a number of jewellers in Cape Town, visitors are able to find precious stones of the highest quality and at excellent prices in the city.
Jewellers in Cape Town
Gold and platinum jewellery is widely available in Cape Town. A highly reputable, very well priced supplier of gems is Prins and Prins, on the corner of Hout and Loop Streets. They also cut diamonds and manufacture jewellery on site.
Another popular jeweller is Uwe Koetter, one of the most renowned jewellery design and manufacturing companies in South Africa. Stunning, award-winning pieces created by the jeweller include rings, bangles, neckpieces and earrings. Visitors to the show room get to watch master designers and goldsmiths bring designs to life you can even learn how diamonds are graded. You'll find the company's head office on the fourth floor of Amway House at the entrance to the V&A Waterfront, as well as at other locations across the city.
Truly unique objects and African style
Cape Town boasts many upmarket shopping centres where shoppers are truly spoilt for choice, yet sometimes you're searching for something that little bit different. Why not pay a visit to some of the Mother City's designer outlets, where exclusivity is guaranteed and African style abounds?
Leading the way in Afro-chic is Shine Shine in the Bo-Kaap area. Shine Shine's colourful African-inspired fabric designs and products including cushions, aprons and bags are daring, unique and stylish. They make superb, practical souvenirs of a trip to Cape Town.
Situated at the bottom of Kloof Street is o.live, chemistry of living. This is the go-to place if you're in search of stylish homeware and accessories. o.live's shelves are packed with vintage and modern knick-knacks that make fabulous gifts for friends or add old-world style to your own home.
In search of elegant evening wear? Hip Hop is famous for stylish attire. The brand's glamorous gowns as well as its chic everyday wear make Hip Hop the first choice for many of Cape Town fashionistas.
Cape Town designers
Designers are another hot asset in Cape Town. Gavin Rajah is one of South Africa's most celebrated designers. Rajah, whose designs have been featured in Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan and worn by the likes of Beyonc and Cameron Diaz, works from his studio on Buitengracht Street.
If you're in the market for unique and colourful fashions, Maya Prass is the label to lust after. Prass' hand-made items favour bold prints and luxurious fabrics. Her garments are available at upmarket retailers across the city.
Former Fair Lady fashion editor Jenny Le Roux is the driving force behind Habits, a popular Cape Town boutique described as a "ready-to-wear range somewhere between chain store and couture", Habits located in Claremont is home to fashionable and classic garments.
Whatever you're in the market for, it's a guarantee that you'll find exclusive and unique items all over Cape Town with its wide range of world class shops and retail outlets to choose from.
