Newsroom

151st L’ORMARINS QUEEN’S PLATE

January 2012

R O Y A L E L E G A N C E A N D E Q U E S T R IA N E X C E L L E N T D I S P L A Y E D A T T H E 151 ^ST L’ O R M A R I N S Q U E E N ‘ S P L A T E

Amidst the backdrop of Table Mountain and another spectacular day in Cape Town, the 151^st L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate took place at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday 7January, displaying a royal elegance of the countries premium thoroughbreds, fashion, entertainment and a blend of top wines.

Guests witnessed an appearance of the legendary Pocket Power leading out the contenders for the main race, the L’Ormarins Queens Plate – Grade 1 – 1600m, won by Gimmethegreenlight in a memorable edition of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

The event attracted an attendance of over 8,000 race-goers including South Africa’s A-list celebrities and sports stars, such as the newly crowned Miss South Africa, Melinda Bam, Ernie Els, Jo-Ann Strauss, Graham Smith and his South African Cricket Team, Chelsy Davy, Jen Su, and Tracy McGregor all donning blue and white.

With an array of variety on offer, South Africa’s exclusive horseracing event catered for all guests on the day. While VIP guests enjoyed a day of luxury and sophistication under the bedwin of the Stud Club, a fresh, local entertainment line-up performed on the main stage in the Style Lounge Village. Tumi & the Volume, The Kongos, Spoek Mathambo and finally DJ Sox thrilled guests with their live performances after the racing subsided.

“The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate is one of the most elegant days on the South African racing calendar. Once again the event captured an amazing balance of graceful fashion, excellent entertainment and all round good fun,” says, Jo-Ann Strauss.

In tradition with “a day at the races”, the elegance and sophistication was highlighted by the “Best Dressed” competition, won by Darielle Robertson and the “Best Hat” competition, won by Kia Johnson. The main prizes were sponsored by Cape Cobra Leathercraft; a limited Edition soft ostrich clutch to the value of R13,000 and a Classic Marmo/pearl python handbag to the value of R21,000. Read more »

G R O W I N G A P P E T I T E F O R L U X U R Y G O O D S- Sunday Times

29th January 2012

G R O W I N G A P P E T I T E F O R L U X U R Y G O O D S – S U N D A Y T I M E S

ECO-SOUND: Ostrich shell champagne cooler PICTURE: ESA ALEXANDER

When its eggshell tables were installed in the yacht of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Cape Town design company Avoova became one of South Africa’s few players in the international luxury goods arena.

This is despite the fact that SA is home to a significant portion of the resources used in luxury goods. It has nearly 80% of the world’s platinum, is one of the world’s biggest gold and diamond miners, and has excellent leather.

Avoova designs small, luxurious items for homes, yachts or hotels. Employing more than 40 artisans in the Karoo, it uses natural materials such as the ostrich egg shell, which undergoes at least 53 processes in its production.

The company has been operating since 2005 and opened its first gallery in Cape Town in 2010. It now has three, all of which target the luxury end of the market. Products range from everyday bangles at R350 to a champagne cooler for almost R25000.

Tom Goddard, CEO of Avoova, said “consistent quality and endorsements from the right kinds of people and places are crucial”.

Cape Cobra Leathercraft, which has been around since 1972 and is in its third family generation, manufactures for glamorous fashion houses including Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and Marchesa. The crocodile and ostrich materials are locally sourced, and the products are manufactured in Cape Town.

Cape Cobra bags, under international brand names, have been worn by the princess of Monaco, wives of presidents and by Jennifer Lopez, Sandra Bullock and Anne Hathaway.A large bag in ostrich starts at R14000, a large crocodile bag starts at R40000, wallets start from R1500 and the most expensive bag will set you back up to R65000.

Ardmore Ceramic Art is an internationally renowned studio in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. Its works are auctioned at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams in London. Read more »

F E S T I V E G R E E T I N G S

We would like to take this opportunity to Wish You a Wonderful Festive Season.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Cape Cobra Leathercraft through 2011 and

May the New Year bring you and yours Health and Happiness.

T R U E L U X U R Y L I V I N G

25^th November 2011

T R U E L U X U R Y L I V I N G

BENTLEY CONTINTENTAL GTC LAUNCH CELEBRATIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOUTH AFRICA’S FINEST

On Friday 25th of November, Val de Vie Wine and Polo Estate in Paarl hosted the Bentley Continental GTC launch. An exclusive Polo tournament, in association with Cape Cobra Leathercraft, Veuve Clicquot, Breitling and Live Out loud, celebrated true luxury living.

The exclusive event saw a round-robin clash between the four sponsored professional polo teams. The tournament commenced with Kristina Diehl from Bentley UK throwing the opening ball onto the pitch from the passenger seat of the new Continental GTC’s predecessor before they raced away from a slew of horses clashing for the ball.

Michael Eilertsen CEO of Live Out Loud stated: “The Bentley Polo Invitational is set to become one of South Africa’s premier events and we forward to breaking ground on this truly remarkable and original concept.”

In speaking about Cape Cobra Leathercraft’s association with the event, Richard Schafer (Director of Cape Cobra Leathercraft) explained: “The Bentley polo Invitational encapsulates the essence of true luxury living; elegance, exotic leathers, fine dining, sporting and sophisticated motor cars. Cape Cobra Leathercraft is founded on a solid international reputation for providing luxury goods to an exclusive individual. Association with the Bentley polo Invitational serves to heighten the local market’s awareness of this positioning.”

KLUK CGDT DREAM LIVES ON

21st October 2011

KLUK CGDT DREAM LIVES ON

AFRICAN DESIGNER OF THE YEAR BROUGHT THE LATEST FROM THEIR FANTASTY WORLD- AFRICAN CINDERELLA

Malcolm Kluk and Christiaan Gabriel du Toit, yet again failed to disappoint, as the opening spectacle of Africa Fashion Week 2011. The luxurious collection celebrated West African lace, tulle and silk in neutrals, pastels with bursts of citrine and lilac.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the show Malcolm said, “The African Cinderella Collection was created to show the romantic side of Africa. We knew we were going to New York for N.Y. fashion week and we wanted to communicate that Africa is much more than curio and leopard skin; but about luxury, romance and beauty. We started with African lace, traditional but generally for older women, and used it in the way we would work with French lace and reworking it onto tulle. Read more »

CAPE COBRA LEATHERCRAFT APPLAUDES CARTE BLANCHE INVESTIGATIONS INTO SKIN TRADE MALPRACTICE

11^th October 2011

CAPE COBRA LEATHERCRAFT APPLAUDES CARTE BLANCHE INVESTIGATIONS INTO SKIN TRADE MALPRACTICE

DIRECTORS OF CAPE COBRA LEATHERCRAFT RESPOND TO A GRUESOME BUT ACCURATE DEPECITION OF THE SNAKE SKIN TRADE.

As one of the most recognized names in the leather manufacturing trade and South Africa’s largest exporter of exotic leather products, Cape Cobra Leathercraft is responding to Carte Blanche’s recent airing of the malpractices that exist in the skin trade. The story produced by Bernadette Cook and Karl Amman uncovered practices that exist in Indonesia and Vietnam in the snake skin trade.

Robert Schäfer, Managing Director of Cape Cobra applauded the investigation into trade malpractices stating, “It is encouraging to note that there is actively investigation into such malpractices that unfortunately exist within this trade. These types of investigations are needed to clean up the industry, to ensure only the ethical and legitimate organizations survive. The consumer has the right to demand that the source of the materials is legit and ethical, and Cape Cobra is proud to be in a position to deliver on such a promise”. Read more »

CAPE COBRA & KLUK CGDT ARISE OUT OF AFRICA

29^th September 2011

CAPE COBRA & KLUK CGDT ARISE OUT OF AFRICA

CAPE COBRA & KLUK CGDT SHOW CASE AT MERCEDES-BENZ NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

As one of the most well recognized names in the leather manufacturing trade, Cape Cobra is stepping out from behind the scenes to join design forces with Kluk CGDT at New York Fashion Week.

The enticing collaboration of Cape Cobra and ‘the boys’ at the Arise: Made in Africa Spring 2012 collection brought New York to where traditional Africa meets modernity. The collection saw a fusion of ivory and neutrals with bold splashes of colour in romantic silks, West African lace and exotic leathers.

Aoife Kelly de Klerk, marketing executive of Cape Cobra, spoke about the collaboration:- “A synergy exists between Cape Cobra and Kluk CDGT due to a shared passion to create products for our clients that impart luxury, exclusivity and timelessness. It is an wonderful opportunity to bring passion to the world fashion stage”. Read more »

THE ALLURE OF FINE LEATHER

1st September 2011

THE ALLURE COLLECTION

As one of the most well recognized names in the leather manufacturing trade, Cape Cobra is stepping out from behind the scenes to launch „The Allure Collection‟. The enticing new collection of exotic leather handbags and accessories defines the art of traditional handcrafted leather manufacture with the selection of fine and rare leather items that are rich in detail, intricate in design and blooming with the colours of Spring fashion.

Cape Cobra is a family run operation of artisans who have over time grown to be recognized as a leader in the mastery of assembling fine leather goods by seeking out superior grade, flawless quality skins to be used for the ultimate luxury accessories. Passed down through the Schafer family over generations is the passion for infusing each collection with modern relevance yet with timeless appeal. Read more »