Our Stories
Clout/SA and designers win big at Decorex Cape Town Awards
At the recent Decorex Cape Town showcase, held from 16 to 19 June 2022, Clout/SA was invited to curate an exhibition of past and current designs by the various finalists and winners of the Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) competition since its inception in 2016. The result was a bold and eclectic exhibition that featured a variety of furniture, lighting, and pattern designs. Many of these pieces were brought to life through various collaborations between emerging designers, established designers and makers, all initiated by Clout/SA.
Sustainability: Put a cork in it!
We reached out to Laurie Wiid van Heerden, the multi-award-winning designer and founder of Wiid Design, to chat about the practical steps he takes to implement sustainability in his business.
Clout/SA collaborates with the Branson Centre
Great South African Methode Cap Classique bubbles meet innovative South African design in a collaboration between the Branson Centre, Clout/SA, and Nando’s Hot Young Designer finalists
Must-see redesign of Constitution Hill’s Old Fort
In an exciting initiative led by Clout/SA and supported by Nando’s, three rising local designers have creatively reimagined the Old Fort Meeting Rooms and Coffee Shop at the historic Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. This recently completed interior design project introduces a vibrant local-led aesthetic to the heritage precinct, thereby enriching its many-layered past and priming it for the future.
The Road to Recognition, Iconic design publication House and Leisure shares Clout/SA’s focus
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So goes the ubiquitous Chinese proverb. It may be a touch overused, but as with many cliches, it is popular because of the truth it holds. A truth that feels particularly significant in every single step we take here at Clout/SA, as we continue with our ambitious mission to take South African design to the world and turn it into a global category brand.
The Nando’s Hot Young Designer competition is here
Entries are open for the fourth edition of the Nando’s Hot Young Designer (HYD) talent search!
Highlights from Ideation Nation Design conference
From the 27th of October to the 1st of November, Clout/SA took a capsule collection from the Right Here, Right Now! exhibition which debuted in Cape Town in June 2021, to Johannesburg audiences during the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising youth festival. Alongside the exhibition, we hosted a panel discussion during the festival’s Ideation Nation design conference. Tracy Lee Lynch, the creative director of Clout/SA and the Nando’s Design Programme, as well as Clout/SA’s content editor Malibongwe Tyilo, sat in conversation with three of the Nando’s HYD finalists, Katlego Tshuma, Sipho Twala and Thando Nxelewa. They discussed among other things, the thinking behind their designs, the value of collaboration, lessons from working with more established designers through the Nando’s Design Programme, as well as challenges that face the manufacturing sector. We’ve put together some highlights from the 80 minute long discussion. Watch below for some insights from Lynch and the emerging designers.
There is no turning back now!
June 2021 marked yet another milestone for Clout/SA. In partnership with House Union Block in Cape Town, Clout/SA hosted Right Here Right Now, an expansive exhibition that served as window to some of the best contemporary South African design, curated by Tracy Lynch, creative director of both Clout/SA and the Nando’s Design Programme.
Design dynamite! Even in the smallest packages
The collaborative relationship between Nando’s and the world of South African design and art is a deeply productive one and has grown the Nando’s aesthetic design direction into one of the most sustainable and authentic collaborations in Southern Africa. On that note, we’re beyond excited to unveil the latest collaboration between four of our 2018 finalists and Wiid Design Studio founder, Laurie van Heerden.
