Food is the new fashion, says a Summerstrand architect turned ceramicist who is now “building with food”.
With a stall set up at the Marktfees at the Tramways building, Wilandi Esterhuysen said her design background led her to uncover her passion for creating food, ceramics and the most eye-catching “oopkop” (open head) pot plant heads.
Alongside Esterhuysen’s stall is a diverse mix that includes handmade craft soaps, shoes and edible delicacies.
The annual market, now in its seventh year, showcases trendy, locally made products.
Esterhuysen, the owner of Wil&i Studio, said: “I now work with food as my construction materials, food is a trend and fashion on its own so you need to accompany it with something as exciting.
“I also started designing my own ceramic range, anything I can present food on in interesting ways.
“As I always say about my ceramics, it is another way to play with my food.”
Her ceramic plates, bowls and mugs have fascinating designs in strategic places to complement the food.
“All the items are interchangeable and you can mix and match different pieces.
“This is an ideal market for those who want to support local products and we have a lot of talent available locally.
“People also enjoy buying fresh and that is what I aim to provide, which is not something you can always order online,” Esterhuysen said.
The Marktfees will donate a portion of the proceeds to Cheshire Homes Cleary Park.
Plush Leather owner Chantel Roux, of Lovemore Park, who sells vellies (veldskoen shoes) said the leather shoe industry had picked up significantly in recent years.
“These shoes are very comfortable and very relevant right now, [they] can be worn with anything and in any colour.
“In Port Elizabeth there are not a lot of people who make and supply these kinds of shoes, but nationally the industry has grown rapidly and it is all over social media as well.
“People in PE are generally scared of change and when the leather trend happened, it all started with handbags and I think the shoes have taken off because people want to match the two.
“People are now getting used to wearing different coloured shoes [but] I feel this is a trend that still needs to grow in PE,” she said.
Baby products and toys, naturally made skincare products, clothing, handmade handbags and paintings can also be found at the Marktfees.
Chocolat! co-owner Niki Westraadt, whose studio in Richmond Hill has about 54 different chocolate flavours, said praline was most popular.
“We are passionate about what we do and our products.
“We have a real connection with chocolate. We are a small enterprise because we like to focus on quality.
“Also the traditional big brands actually have very little cacao in it, so we know exactly what goes into that chocolate.
“People have become very aware of what they are eating and we want to give them the best option,” she said.
Kim Slabbert, an interior designer of The Collection Studio, said trends they had noticed in design were inspired by nature, with earthy colours.
“Maximalism is very popular right now, a trend which allows the individual to showcase their unique style by combining a lot of different things from velvet to steel,” she said.