South African design lifestyle brand, Neimil, partnered with locally loved beer Stella Artois to launch ‘The Hut’ chair collection at Decorex Johannesburg this past weekend, with designer Keneilwe Mothoa winning the Decorex ‘Best New Talent’ award in the process.
Inspired by hand-selected craftsmanship, influenced by the architectural, spiritual, and heritage elements of the hut, the collection pays homage to African homes that have been an integral part of South Africa’s history and traditions.
“I AM THRILLED TO HAVE STELLA ARTOIS COLLABORATE WITH ME IN BRINGING ‘THE HUT’ TO REALITY. THE PHILOSOPHICAL INTENTION OF THE COLLECTION IS TO INSPIRE STRANGERS TO BECOME FRIENDS. TO CELEBRATE EACH OTHER. THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR STELLA ARTOIS, WHO INVITES US TO SAVOUR LIFE’S MOMENTS AND FORM REAL CONNECTIONS. DESIGN-WISE, I WANTED TO CREATE A MEMORABLE SPACE THAT IS LIGHT YET CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF THE DESIGN. THAT IT HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED IS TRULY GRATIFYING, ESPECIALLY HAVING STELLA ARTOIS BEING SUCH SUPPORTERS OF CREATIVE FREEDOM IN SA DESIGN,” SAYS DESIGNER AND NEIMIL CO-FOUNDER, KENEILWE MOTHOA.
The design for the extraordinary center-piece heritage chairs was inspired by the African hut and energized by fluid, circular elements and colour blocks. The collection also included a reproduction dining area and a large mirror Keneilwe designed & made by hand for the occasion.
“KENEILWE IS THAT RARE BREED OF ARTIST-DESIGNER. WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT HER MOST IS THAT SHE CREATES NARRATIVES WHICH PROVIDE SPACE FOR US TO FIND MEANING IN WHO WE ARE. THROUGH HER APPROACH TO HAND- SELECTING MATERIALS IN HER CRAFT, KENEILWE’S DESIGNS ARE BOTH AUTHENTIC AND BEAUTIFUL. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COLLABORATE WITH HER IN THE HUT AND TO SUPPORT THE SA DESIGN INDUSTRY IN THIS WAY,” SAYS ESTEE BURGER, MARKETING MANAGER, STELLA ARTOIS SOUTH AFRICA.
While the model seen at Decorex was a scaled down version, the full installation will be built & presented later in the year.
