PROJECTING LUXURY IN AFRICA

To our members & friends,

It has been an incredible quarter.

As part of our global strategy, we hosted Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and an international guest, Suzy Menkes, at the SALA Briefing sponsored by Sanlam Private Investments last month. Instead of just hosting 1 event we rollled out the red carpet for the renowned authority on luxury fashion and hosted a series of 4 events nationally.

The feedback has been incredible and I am happy to report that Suzy’s visit was a resounding success, securing SALA members & friends the best rate to attend the global summit on the Promise of Africa & the Link to the Mediterranean in Rome. Her time here has re-assured me of the international interest in South African haute fashion & luxury products.

We are exciting to be going to Italy later this year to support the IHT Luxury Summit where alongside other international leaders in luxury both Hanneli Rupert & Dr Motsepe will be speaking. Later that month, we will be travelling to Shanghai, where I will speak at the China Luxury Summit due to our partnership with CLIA. The details are in the newsletter. Unfortunately there are no press passes; but we have secured the best rates to make it feasible for members to attend.

Last month, we also hosted our first event with RMB Private Bank at Everard Read to support Southern Guild. Attended by some of the top clients of RMB, it was a pleasure to work with Gavin Tarr’s team to support high-end design.

I have spent more quality time with our members one-on-one and have been assisting a few brands with market entry strategy. Certainly it feels like, despite some gloomy sales forecasts, that interest in the South African luxury market is rising.

Southern Africa Luxury Association

Perhaps at the top of the agenda, is the fact that I have spent the last few weeks defining and securing a new Member Council. Following our formal letters of invitation, we are delighted to share that we have already received acceptance notifications from the CEO of Vendôme Distributors SA, the CEO of Swatch Group, Hyprop & Liberty Properties, Waterford Estate and The Cellars Hohenhort; alongside our two directors, Malus & Cape Cobra. We are awaiting two more and will send out a dedicated newsletter outlining the names and biographies of those on the Council. Members of the council were selected for their unbiased views, their established and senior role in the luxury industry and their willingness to build the sector for the long term without putting themselves first.

Having briefly tested the waters with a few members, the utter professionalism and immediacy of support and engagement with action has been a breath of fresh air. It was clear to me that the Council, to remain neutral and evolve into what I originally intended for SALA, should be made up exclusively of luxury brand heads. Media and Wealth Management will be involved on a one-on-one basis as partners. I will continue to call on their sound advice and support in a personal & private forum ensuring that we maintain discrete HNW strategies for various parties. I am truly thankful for the guiding wisdom of Kobie Hamman at Sanlam Private Investments, Neil Brown at Citadel Private Wealthcare and, more recently, the team at RMB Private Bank. We will continue to engage with the broad spectrum of media and governmental associates by partnering dynamically and providing commentary, thought-pieces and research where necessary. We will also engage the services of service agencies as suppliers when needed as partners.

Thank you again for your support and I hope you enjoy the read.

Silvana BottegaFOUNDERSouthern Africa Luxury Association

In 2012, the word providing momentum for course of this year’s agenda is “Projection.”

RECENT LOCAL EVENTS

MONT BLANC LUXURY BRANDSPANEL DEBATE

The Future Group, under the strong

leadership of renowned presenter

Jeremy Maggs, invited SALA to

participate in a luxury brand panel debate.

The other members of the panel were

Jenna Clifford, Clifford Joffe of the

Daytona Group and Richard Stewart of

Millward Brown. The engaging morning

briefing gave the room full of interested

business people a few key insights on

what defines a luxury product and how a

brand should go to market in South Africa.

SNEAK PREVIEW

* SALA is finalizing details for

a large scale HNW consumer

watch event at Hyde Park. Keep

an eye out for March 2013.

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

FNB ART FAIR 2012The FNB JHB ART Fair has taken place

annually since 2008 and is fast becoming

one of the strongest art events on the

continent of Africa. The dates for this

year’s fair has been confirmed for the 7th

and 8th of September at the Sandton

Convention Centre.

CHATEAU D’AXCAPE TOWN OPENING4th October 2012, Cape Quarter, 7pm

MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK AFRICA 201224 - 28th October 2012, Johannesburg

STELLENBOSCH AT SUMMERPLACE20127 November 2012

Bringing the wonders of the Winelands to

Joburg for one night only. Stellenbosch

Wine Route, together with Sanlam Private

Investments (SPI), have paired the finest

winemakers and chefs from the country’s

premium wine region for a sophisticated

celebration of all things epicurean.

SALA invites paid members to share your

event list with us; which will be shared

quarterly.

M A

S T E R P I E C

E

S

JHBWATCH

WEEKEN D

of TIME

WEALTH SUMMIT 2013

* Please let us know if there

are senior local or international

business heads in wealth

management or luxury who

would like to speak on either the

first or second day.

Silvana BottegaFOUNDERSouthern Africa Luxury Association

Now in its 12th year the IHT luxury conference is one of the world’s most prestigious annual forum for the global fashion business, bringing together over 500 of the most senior business and creative leaders from the top echelons of the industry to gain insights, share ideas and expand their international networks. This year the event is set to take place in Rome on the 15th and 16th of November.

SALA recently had the privilege of hosting and guiding Suzy Menkes on her first exploratory mission to seek out talent in South Africa. Suzy, as one of fashion’s authorities, is the organizer of the IHT Luxury conference. We are thrilled to announce that Suzy left truly touched by South African Hospitality.

The IHT team would like to offer our member brands and selected guests a further discount on what was originally offered, to make the conference more accessible for those in South Africa. As such there is a special discount of 40% on the usual conference ticket rate, a saving of £1,000. The access to hear the speakers and network with unprecedented luxury industry leaders now is £1,495 for the full two day event, gala dinner and opening cocktail reception.

To register to join using this special discount, enter the code LUXAFR when prompted.

The promise of Africa,The power of the Mediterranean

International Herald Tribune Luxury Summit

UPCOMINGINTERNATIONAL EVENTS

IHT LUXURY SUMMITin Rome, Italy 15 - 16 November 2012

SALA MEMBERS RATEFOR THE IHT LUXURY SUMMITROME, 15 - 16 NOVEMBER

International Herald Tribune Luxury Summit

This year we have partnered with the IHT Luxury Conference to gain below Luxury Society rates for delegates from SALA at their landmark conference with the thematic “The promise of Africa, the power of the Mediterranean” that will be taking place in Rome.

Regular Rate: £1,495 instead of the standard £2,495

USE THE CODE LUXAFR WHEN BOOKING OR CALL SILVANA ON 0791787867 TO BOOK WITH SALA.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS FOR 2012 INCLUDE :

Giancarlo Giammetti, Honarary President, VALENTINO

Frida Giannini, Creative Director, GUCCI

Nizan Guanaes, Chairman, GRUPO ABC DE COMUNICACAO

Farida Khelfa, Ambassador, SCHIAPARELLI

Lauren Bush Lauren, CEO, Creative Director and Co-Founder, FEED

Nader Mousavizadeh, CEO, OXFORD ANALYTICA

Rafaello Napoleone, CEO, PITTI IMMAGINE

Uché Okonkwo, Executive Director & Founder, Luxe Corp. and Author of

Luxury Online, LUXE CORP.

Pierpaolo Piccioli, Creative Director, VALENTINO

Renzo Rosso, Founder and President, DIESEL AND OTB

Hanneli Rupert, Owner of Merchants on Long and Designer, OKAPI

Francesco Trapani, President, LVMH WATCHES & JEWELLERY

Giambattista Valli, Designer, GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

Paul van Zyl, Founder and CEO, MAIYET

Donatella Versace, Vice President and Creative Director, VERSACE

GROUP

Michael Zaoui, Strategic Advisor, MICHAEL ZAOUI

Jochen Zeitz, CEO, Sport and Lifestyle, PPR

Kim Jones, Men’s Creative Director, LOUIS VUITTON

Duro Olowu, Founder , DURO OLOWU

Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director, VALENTINO

Simone Cipriani, Head, Ethical Fashion Initiative, INTERNATIONAL

TRADE CENTRE

Joanne Crewes, President - Global Prestige, PROCTER & GAMBLE

Diego Della Valle, President & CEO, TOD’S

Illaria Venturini, Fendi, Designer, CARMINA CAMPUS

Silvia Venturini, Fendi, Creative Director, FENDI

Valentino Garavani, Founder, VALENTINO

Jean Paul Gaultier, Designer, JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

Front row’s first lady smiles on African luxury

Jackie May | 26 July, 2012

Fashion reporter Suzy Menkes sat at a table behind large bowls of proteas as fashion designers presented their ideas to her. She listened attentively and asked each a question regarding the quality and originality of their products.

Where does Anisa Mpungwe of Loin Cloth and Ashes source her fabric? How does Spero Villioti bring out his design students’ individuality? The twitterverse had a flurry of excitement as the head fashion reporter and editor of the International Herald Tribune dropped into shops, visited designers and wined and dined with fashionistas in Cape Town and Johannesburg on a short trip two weeks ago.

“So privileged. Suzy Menkes came to visit us in our CT boutique. She is awesome,” read one tweet. “Just had the amazing Suzy Menkes in our studio. How fabulous was that,” read another. Menkes was on a scouting trip to South Africa in preparation for her November luxury conference in Rome. Titled “The promise of Africa and the power of the Mediterranean”, the conference will look at the influence of the Mediterranean countries on luxury and fashion, and at the potential of Africa, both as a producer and ultimately a consumer of luxury goods, says its website. She’s positive about luxury and the role it can play in growing our economy. In May she wrote: “Africa is in the news - but not just for the sad and familiar reasons of conflict and suffering. The continent is entering the fashion arena, with the quality of its handwork, artistic creativity and its potential for economic growth bringing Africa literally in vogue.”

I was fortunate to be invited, not as a fashionista but as a journalist, to a dinner to meet her. I’ve long been an admirer of the front row reporter who wears her hair in a signature pompadour. Her coverage of fashion events and trends is clever, fair and free of mindless promotion. She told the guests at the dinner: “The whole concept of luxury is changing in the 21st century, and all of you in South Africa are going to be a part of this change. It is no longer only about bling. It is also about experiences. “Now the greatest luxury in the modern world is to have something that has been touched by human hands.”

As a challenge she told us that “South Africa needs to define luxury through creativity, cultural heritage, history, sustainability and social conscience.”Source: timeslive.co.za

Below: Coverage in Grazia Magazine

Media Exposure

Sanlam Private Investments (SPI) is a private

client wealth management business which

engages on an individual basis with high

net worth individuals and their families to

design, deliver and personally manage

bespoke investment solutions for both

South African and international clients.

SPI provides a comprehensive and holistic

suite of integrated wealth management

services, including multi-asset class

investment advice, stockbroking and

portfolio management, fiduciary and tax

services, a range of non-transactional

banking services, and South Africa’s first

specialist art advisory service.

Established in 1999 and headquartered

in Cape Town, the SPI team comprises

400 people across 23 international

offices, managing R120bn in assets under

management and administration for 30,000

clients.

Media Exposure

SALA will endeavor to facilitate connections as well as bring out world renowned guests and influencers from the luxury sector on similar research & trade missions to ensure that the international community keeps taking notice of South African luxury talent.

A special thanks goes out to:Sanlam Private Investments, Stefan & Carla Antoni (SAOTA), the incredible kindness of The Cellars-Hohenhort, The Westcliff, Via La Moda, The Saxon, AFI, Gavin Rajah, Malcolm Kluk and Hanneli Rupert.

Highlights from Suzy’s trip

PRIVATE DINNER WITH STEFAN ANTONI

SALA’s first port of call was to introduce Suzy to the highest level of design excellence Cape Town has to offer while being exposed to true South African hospitality. Stefan Antoni and his wife Carla graciously hosted Suzy and other design gurus at a private dinner at one of SAOTA’s masterpieces.

Liz Morris, Suzy Menkes & Stefan Antoni

Hosting IHT & NY Times Fashion editor in South AfricaSALA on the international stage

SAOTA

SAOTA - Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects, is driven

by the dynamic combination of Stefan Antoni, Philip Olmesdahl

and Greg Truen who share a potent vision easily distinguished in

their buildings and an innovative and dedicated approach to the

execution of projects internationally, nationally and locally. SAOTA

is a firm of approximately 90 talented, young architectural designers

and technicians including an in-house CGI and marketing team

and a strong support of administrative staff. The company has

received numerous awards and commendations from some of the

most respected institutions worldwide.

AFI

African Fashion International (AFI) presents African fashion and

creative talent in a manner that makes local talent globally relevant

and ensures that the world has market access to African product

and design. Through the organisation’s promotion, curation and

support, AFI ensures that the international community responds

positively and commercially to African-designed products, which

are available, unique and on-trend. Through its Fashion Weeks

and initiatives, AFI opens up the continent to commercial projects,

both locally and internationally, increasing the geographic spread

of Africa’s fashion and the market access to the continent’s apparel.

African Fashion International showcases the best designers from

the continent, offering them access to domestic and international

market share while also growing a platform for the sustainability of

the fashion industry in Africa in creating jobs through fashion and

developing new designers in its Fastrack programme.

SALA on the international stage

CAPE TOWN MEDIA BREAKFAST

The next morning we gave a small delegation of select media and other guests who could not make it to our JHB briefing the chance to have an intimate debate with the world renowned journalist in Cape Town. Liz Morris, from Condé Nast House&Garden, chaired the function well attended by editors and designers of the highest caliber at Cellars Hohenhort.

PRIVATE CLIENT DINNER AND TRUNK SHOW

Sanlam Private Investments treated private clients and guests to an evening in proud association with African Fashion International, the IHT and Via La Moda. SALA gave South African designers Loin Cloth & Ashes, Avant Apparel, Abbigail Betz, David Tlale and Spero Villioti the chance to showcase the raison d’etre behind their lines. The private function saw the who’s who of Johannesburg society sit down for evening of a private catwalk showing and fine food at the Saxon Boutique Hotel & Villas.

VIA LA MODA

For decades, Via la Moda has remained fashionably unique by

designing and crafting ostrich leather handbags, crocodile leather

handbags and leather accessories in line with Europe’s most

popular seasonal fashion bag trends and colours. Our great

attention to detail in the areas of leather craft and quality,

ensure genuine value and have made the Via la Moda leather

bags collections the choice of some of the Worlds finest leather

fashion houses, we now invite you to experience the vast range

of leather designer bags, wallets, purses and belts available to

you.

THE CELLARS-HOHENHORT

The owner-managed Cellars-Hohenort, with its panoramic mountain

and garden views, is a must for those looking to add a delicious dose

of peace and tranquility to their lives. This incredibly soulful Relais

& Châteaux property is the result of Liz McGrath’s 20 years of hard

work, love and endless inspiration. The Cellars-Hohenort rests on

the breathtaking slopes of Table Mountain. Located in Constantia,

Cape Town, it shares its home with some of South Africa’s most

historically significant wine estates. This unforgettable property

boasts 49 individually decorated rooms and suites, all situated in an

awe-inspiring natural setting. Set on nine expansive acres of world-

renowned gardens, this historic and beautiful country escape offers

guests far more than just incomparable scenery. A range of award-

winning culinary offerings, a relaxing Fresh Wellness Spa and Hair

Salon, a Gary Player designed golf putting and chipping green, a

tennis court and much more ensures that The Cellars-Hohenort is a

truly unforgettable experience.

Fashion heavyweights, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and internationally renowned fashion authority, Suzy Menkes, believe African fashion and luxury brands have a major role to play in elevating the continent globally. Moloi- Motsepe and Menkes both spoke at a briefing entitled ‘The promise of Africa on the International Stage’ supported by wealth manager Sanlam Private Investments (SPI) in Johannesburg on July 16.

“Africa has a promise of the future, there is an energy here, it has got something it really wants to say,” said Menkes, who has been head fashion reporter and editor for the International Herald Tribune since 1988 and who was awarded both an OBE (Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth and France’s Legion d’Honneur for her work in fashion journalism over the past three decades.

“The promise of Africa on the international stage can partially be achieved by leveraging the continent’s potential for developing unique luxury designs, products and experiences. South Africa needs to define luxury through creativity, cultural heritage, history, sustainability and social conscience.”

“Luxury, has changed. It is no longer only about bling. It is also about experiences. Now the greatest luxury in the modern world is to have something that has been touched by human hands.”

According to Menkes, fashion is always a leader, a bell-weather of what is happening in the world. She stressed that while the West was “not dead”, the big recent shift` had been to the East, with Africa and South America also starting to come of age.

Moloi-Motsepe is a well- known businesswoman and philanthropist who is chairperson of African Fashion International (AFI), an organisation that seeks to promote and develop South African and African fashion in the global arena. She said the building of African fashion identites and brands will play a role in re- branding the continent and contributing to economic growth and job creation.

“The world is increasingly taking notice of South Africa and the rest of Africa, thanks to the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, our membership of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), our avoiding of the current European banking crisis, Africa’s growing middle class and Africa’s ability to emulate what China and India have achieved as world markets in recent years,”said Moloi- Motsepe.

The promise of Africa on the international stageSALA BRIEFING

Moloi- Motsepe said Africa can be an inspiration to the world. “No one can come up with African fashion better than Africans themselves through creativity and vision, inspired by their surroundings and by their diverse cultures. This uniqueness is what the world wants,” she said.

Moloi-Motsepe said that AFI’s goal is to increase the exposure of African designers on the world stage by showcasing their quality, innovation and creativity in places such as London, Paris and New York.

Kobie Hamman, who heads up SPI’s Johannesburg office, said, “It was an inspiration for me to listen to Suzy Menkes and Precious Moloi-Motsepe and I am personally very excited to see Africa take more of its amazing ideas to the rest of the world. As a global wealth manager SPI is very aware of the enormous contribution fashion and luxury branding can make to a nation - they are a very visible representation of a country’s culture and energy. They are also able to make a massive contribution to job creation and entrepreneurship. Having support from two such influential women in this space is invaluable to South Africa and the continent. We are therefore delighted to have been involved in offering them this platform, along with SALA.”

Introducing the event, SALA’s CEO Silvana Bottega, noted that the session marked a step forward in the projection of African luxury brands. “SALA is committed to building a bridge between international and local leaders in various arenas to foster the development of world- class African luxury brands.

The briefing was a precursor to the International Herald Tribune Luxury Summit in Rome on the 15- 16th of November that will help develop awareness about the promise of Africa and incorporate the likes of Donnatella Versace, Manolo Blahnik and Jean Paul Gaultier alongside South Africa’s own Hanneli Rupert.”

David Tlale, Daphne Neethling & Loic Bellet

Marina Smithers with Mr. & Mrs Schwartz

Suzy Menkes, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe & Kobie Hamman

SALA is excited to announce another international partnership. SALA has partnered with the the China Luxury Industry Association (CLIA). As the largest luxury conference and exhibition in China, this is an exceptional opportunity for our member brands, looking to conquer the Asian market, to use as a springboard.

Silvana Bottega, CEO of SALA, will also form part of a panel on the first day to discuss “Emerging Market Dynamics: How to Provide Better Luxury Experience to Different Consumers.”

The CLIA have also offered 5 exhibition booths at the the discounted rate of

USD3000 as opposed to the normal USD6000. Interested parties please

contact 0791 78 78 67 or silvana.b@sa-la.org.

EVENT OVERVIEW

In the past seven years, the Chinese luxury market has been developing vigorously, the sales volume of luxury brands has risen and the consumption psychology of the consumers has become increasingly mature.

The China Luxury Summit (CLS) and its alternate conference the INNO Luxury Summit (ILS) emerged, as a pioneer of the industry, in Shanghai in 2005 and 2010 respectively. The 2-part Summit series has become a bellwether of the Chinese and even broader Asian luxury market and has attracted the attention and participation from the 3 biggest luxury groups LVMH, Richemont and PPR. Attendees and speakers stem from the worlds top luxury brands including Prada, Gucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, Montblanc, Pernod Ricard and Sunseeker. The number of attendees amounting to over 3000.

The participants join in the workshops, share their precious experience and make a contribution to the strengthening of the Chinese luxury industry. Luxury brands looking to enter China will gain valuable insight into market-entry strategies as well as be able to exhibit.

INVITED SPEAKERS INCLUDE : Christian Blanckaert, Former Managing Director, HERMES

Pablo Mauron, General Manager China, DIGITAL LUXURY GROUP

Juergen Gessler, Group CEO, PORSCHE DESIGN GROUP

Guy Salter, Deputy Chairman, WALPOLE

Andrew Wu, Group Director, LVMH

Patrick LEE, Chairman/CEO, Greater China, MICHAEL KORS

The latest details of our exciting partnership with the CLIA

SALA LOOKS EAST

UPCOMINGINTERNATIONAL EVENTS

CHINA LUXURY SUMMITin Shanghai, China28 - 29th November 2012

VISIT: www.chinaluxurysummit.com/2012/new.asp for all the details.

THE cHINESE LuxuRy cONSuMER

The Chinese Luxury Consumer White Paper 2012 is a ground-breaking report on private banking in China and the evolving lifestyle of the Chinese luxury consumer. Some key take-outs include:

• There are 2.7 million high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in China with personal assets of more than 6 million Chinese yuan (equivalent to US$950,000) and 63,500 ultra-high net worth individuals(UHNWIs) with assets of more than 100 million Chinese yuan (US$15.8 million)

• Chinese luxury consumers expect their private banks to provide value-added services relating to luxury travel, health care and children’s education

• 70% of those who have read an Executive MBA want to study a second one

• 85% plan to send their children to study abroad• The luxury consumer exercises 2.3 times a week• High net worths are on the road 6.9 days a month,

with ultra high net worths 9 days• Two thirds have started a collection: watches and

classical Chinese paintings are most popular• Half have a religious belief• 10% of annual spend goes on gifting. 80% of gifting

is for business.• 73% of individuals purchase luxury goods in Hong

Kong. 28% purchase goods in the Mainland• Internet surpasses television as the main source of

obtain shopping information• 20% have little confidence in their knowledge of what

they are collecting• Li Kaifu’s Weibo or micro-blog is most popular,

followed by Wang Shi, Pan Shiyi, Ren Zhiqiang and Shi Yuzhu

• 35% own pets• 13% of UHNWIs intend to purchase a corporate

aircraft.

SOURCE: www.hurun.net

Additional resources:

THE CHINA LUXURY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONhttp://www.clia.org.ch

2011 CHINA LUXURY MARKET STUDY, BAIN & COMPANYhttp://www.bain.com/publications/articles/2011-china-luxury-market-study.aspx

TAPPING CHINA’S LUXURY GOODS MARKET, MCKINSEYhttp://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Tapping_Chinas_luxury-goods_market_2779

The Hurun White Paper 2012

LEOPARD’S LEAP IN MAJOR DEAL WITH CHINESECOMPANY

Leopard’s Leap Wines has concluded a major joint venture with Yangzhou Perfect Co. to dramatically increase the export of South African wine to China, one of the fastest growing wine markets in the world.

The partnership with Yangzhou Perfect, a division of Perfect (China) Co., will see nearly 2.9 million bottles of South African wine shipped to China by June 2012, Leopard’s Leap CEO Mr. Hein Koegelenberg said, adding that this represented a massive addition to the nearly 3.9 million bottles of South African wine shipped to China in 2010/2011.

The joint venture will be called Perfect Wines of South Africa and will be 51 percent owned by Yangzhou Perfect and 49 percent owned by Leopard’s Leap Wines. The joint venture will own the L’Huguenot wine brand as well as act as a distributor for other wine brands including Leopard’s Leap, La Motte and De Klerk Presidential Blend.

“Three years ago we identified Asia as an export destination for our wines,” Mr. Koegel- enberg said, adding the growth in annual exports of South African wine from 1.2m to 4.5m litres in three years supported the decision to look east.

Mr. Koegelenberg estimated that Leopard’s Leap and La Motte, of which he is also the CEO, are responsible for about 10 percent of South African wine exports to Asia.

Perfect (China) President Mr. Woo Swee Lian said he also saw the potential of South African wine in China. “I see the potential of quality wine from South Africa. The base is still small, but I want to be part of this growth,” Mr Woo said.

“Perfect China launched our first wine from China in end 2010,” Mr Woo said. “I am satisfied with the market response.I believe through our network of Perfect (China), we can offer more top quality wine. This will now be a wine from South Africa.”

“I think the ability to provide consistent supply at reputable quality, is to the advantage of South Africa,” Mr Woo added.

Mr Woo said the joint venture with Leopard’s Leap was a strong partnership “because it is based on our friendship between our families that is based on respect and trust. When I first went on a visit to South Africa, and I saw the commitment of La Motte and Leopard’s Leap with their social responsibility, I knew that we have a lot in common as it is also the philosophy of Perfect China.”

SOURCE: www.leopards-leap.com

RMB Private Bank partnered with SALA to give a handful of invited guests first rights to enjoy and acquire the best contemporary South African design at an event showcasing the Southern Guild design collection.

Trevyn McGowan lead a select group of 60 RMB Private Bank and SALA members, alongside a few top Everard Read & Arcelor Mittal clients, on a private & intimate guided tour of the exhibition with key designers being on hand to share their perspective on pieces that were created for the collection.

SALA Members in attendance included representatives from Salvatore Ferragamo/Fendi, Cruises International, African Romance, Slow Lounge & Pam Golding Properties.

The event later opened its doors to over 400 guests & design aficionados.

The VIP evening ensured guests were treated to Champagne Gratiot acquired from Reciprocal Wine Company alongside being gifted a box of Idiom wines. SALA was proud to support this fine initiative.

SOUTHERN GUILD SHOWCASE AT EVERARD READ

Southern Guild, spearheaded by Trevyn and Julian McGowan, work with premier steel producer Arcelor Mittal SA to stage the largest showcase of high-end contemporary design in South Africa. The six-week long exhibition opened at the Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg on Thursday 2 August featuring work by a record number of 110 participants.

These include some of the country’s most important design, art and architecture names such as William Kentridge, Phillemon Hlungwani, Kerri Evans, Athi Patra, Nkhensani Nkosi, Dylan Lewis, Angus Taylor, Haldane Martin, StudioMas, Silvio Rech, Egg, Gregor Jenkin, Tonic, Pierre Cronje, Nic Sithole, Conrad Botes and many others. Visit southern-guild.co.za for more information.

source: visi.co.za

Supporting the arts & high-end designCreativity dazzles RMB Private Bank guests at VIP Vernissage

Supporting the arts & high-end designCreativity dazzles RMB Private Bank guests at VIP Vernissage

54 ON BATH OPENS ITS DOORS

WATERKLOOF STRIKES GOLD AT LITWF

Classic and sophisticated, the accent is on understated elegance and their focus is to provide an exceptional guest experience. This hotel, which opened in July 2012, is for the discerning traveller seeking intimacy and refinement but always with stylish flair. From the moment of arrival into the elegant lobby with its delightful lounge to the luxury and comfort of your room, you will enjoy attentive and friendly service. Everything has been designed around comfort and the stylish interiors reflect a calm tranquillity with the use of harmonious colours, sophisticated design and strong graphic motifs. We invite you to linger and stay in a hotel which recognises your individuality and mirrors your unique preferences. To experience a truly fashionable stay, whether you’re on business or simply taking a relaxing break.

tsogosunhotels.com

Waterkloof ’s attendance at this year’s London International Wine Fair was made all the more exciting and special with the announcement that their Circle of Life White 2010 had won a Gold in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2012. Their 2011 gold-studded white blend then went on to win Best White in Show at the end of the fair.

The Decanter World Wine Awards is regarded as one of the most serious and comprehensive international wine competitions and a win at the awards is respected as a remarkable achievement.

www.waterkloofwines.co.za

Mercedes BenzCape Town Fashion Week2012

The 10th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz Cape Town Fashion Week took place from the 25th to the 28th of July.The majorly successful annual event, organized by African Fashion International (AFI), was spread out over four days, featuring over twenty-five South African designers of both national, as well as international acclaim.Seen below are the works of Gavin Rajah, David Tlale & Malcolm Kluk. Website: africanfashioninternational.com

A selection of SALA guests were invited to view the Gavin Rajah collection and attend the GALA dinner. The collection, themed ‘Luminescent Luxury‘ was inspired by the ‘love poetry of Boccaccio, the language of flowers and the 1950s La Dolce Vita mood of Italy.

A STUNNING NEW VENUE IN JHB

The Munro Boutique Hotel offers five large, luxuriously appointed suites. Designer and antique furniture, combined with beautiful artwork are in perfect harmony with the graceful ambiance of the hotel. Each room is equipped with DSTV and balconies overlooking Johannesburg. Our low directive profile, assures all our guests of total privacy at all times.

A serviced formal dining room with their own exclusive chef, offers 5-star cuisine that will appeal to even the most discerning of tastes. Alternatively the Mediterranean style terrace allows for a more casual meal venue, or a quiet place to enjoy a sunset cocktail above the city lights. Their plush, secluded lounge affords you the opportunity to entertain your selective guests, or the warm pub in which to take your pre-dinner drinks.

themunrohotel.com

AN EXTRA LARGE SUCCESS

The second annual Big Bottle Festival was held at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel where 40 of South Africa’s top wine producers opened large format bottles ranging from Magnums to Jeroboams to Nebuchadnezzar’s. The rare wines were paired with amuses bouches from six of South Africa’s top chefs who created themed gourmet appetisers to complement the wines. The event was supported through a media partnership with Opulent Living Magazing.

Congratulations to Jorg, Barbara & Tony Romer Lee for this phenomenal event on the annual calendar.

Lifestyle is the bedrock of luxury.

As any well-travelled contemporary

Italian furniture aficionado will tell you,

Chateau d’Ax is one of Europe and

the world’s highly regarded furniture

brands. With over 150 Chateau d’Ax

stores in Italy and a combined total

of over 350 stores worldwide, this

reputable, innovative leader in the

world’s luxury furniture market is now

available in South Africa. The product’s

distinguished, elegant lines are true to

its Italian design and a commitment to

exceptionally high-quality forms the

cornerstones of this acclaimed leader

in cutting-edge furniture. Catering to

the discerning buyer, the finish of the

brand excels not just in the intrinsics

of the fabric and technology used in its

production, but equally in the service

that clients receive in the showroom.

Chateau d’Ax will be extending its

reach with numerous outlets across

South Africa in the next 18 months.

Local and international buyers are buying again in the luxury housing sector above R10 million in the country’spremier metropolitan coastal suburbs of Clifton, Fresnaye and Bantry Bay, but are cherry-picking good value, says Seeff Atlantic Seaboard agent, Lance Cohen. The agent’s sales of close to R230 million in just over a year includes a number of high value sales above this price mark.

Following the recent record-price of R42 million in Fresnaye, the agent has just concluded a joint sale of a yet another trophy home in Clifton for R37,5 million within a month of its listing. The buyer is an Australian-based expat. This 700sqm Clifton Road home ticks all the boxes of what luxury buyers are prepared to pay for right now says the agent. The home combines architectural excellence with state-of-the-art finishes and full automation and offers multiple living areas including a private cinema, art room, study and more along with four luxurious bedroom suites and a magnificent sea-view location.

While the buyers have been a mix of local residential buyers along with Johannesburgers, expats and foreign nationals who have invested in holiday homes and apartments here, Cohen says that perceived good value is what is selling now. In Clifton for example, a number of apartments have been snapped up by local and Johannesburg buyers for between R10 million and R20 million for their sea-view locations. A European buyer who owns property all over the world including the South of France added to his property portfolio with an apartment in sought-after Valhalla for R13 million. In Kloof Road, two townhouses sold to local buyers for around R10 million each while an expat based in Spain paid R11,5 million for a Clifton Road property.

Aside from a De Wet Road home that was snapped up by a Hong Kong-based expat for R22 million, there has also been good high value sales in Bantry Bay says the agent. A local buyer paid R15 million for a home in Ave Marina before we had even listed it while Johannesburg buyers invested in homes in De Wet Road and Ave St Leon for R16 million and R15,5 million respectively.

Seeff Atlantic Seaboard managing director, Ian Slot says that there has never really been a shortage of buyers here, the real challenge has been bridging the gap between seller expectations and what buyers are prepared to pay. Cohen says that buyers who have mostly been cash buyers are discerning and want good value and a sound investment.

Slot says that sellers also again achieving outstanding capital growth. This is well illustrated by looking at property sales during the first quarter of 2012. A total of 23 properties priced above R10 million sold to the total value of R431,250,000 at an average nominal capital growth rate of 19% per annum over a seven year period.

In the past year, well over R1,1 billion in real estate has sold in the suburbs of Clifton, Fresnaye and Bantry Bay alone, says Slot. Since 2010, there has been seven sales above the R20 million mark in Clifton, and five in Bantry Bay. A further 24 properties sold here and in Fresnaye above the R10 million price mark.

SEEFF RELEASE. Luxury homes selling on the Atlantic Seaboard again, but buyers cherry-pick good value

PROPERTy VIEW-POINTS

South Africa is not alone in experiencing a somewhat depressed residential property market – in fact we are doing a lot better than most. Average house prices in England fell in the first quarter of the year although London, once again, beat the trend and was the best performing region. Northern Ireland has been the worst performer, with house prices down more than 50% since their peak in 2007.

Nationwide, the UK’s largest building society, comments that house prices are now 5,1 times average earnings, lower than the peak of 6,4 times. Rentals, says PGP’s United Kingdom associate Savills, are becoming a way of life: “The increase in tenant demand in the UK has been dramatic; over the five years to the end of 2011, the total value of housing in the private rental sector was up 42%, while the number of households renting privately has leapt from 3,4 million to 4,8 million. The trend is set to continue; by 2016 we estimate that figure will have risen to 5,9 million.”

Residential property markets are struggling globally, with few exceptions:

Australie: House prices could fall by 5% this year if China’s economic growth falters. Capital 360, a leading property advisory company, believes transaction volumes will continue their slide through 2012. Volumes last year were 13% down on 2010, which was 26% lower than 2009 which was down 33% on the peak of 2007.

France: According to Credit Agricole French property prices could drop by 5% - 6% this year. The bank also predicts an 8% decline in sales volumes. Prices made something of a recovery in 2011, but have since slumped. Paris, like London, bucks the trend, with apartment prices still holding up.

Spain: Real estate companies are hoping that the market will bottom this year. The current market is still being driven by bank properties but stock is diminishing. The current prices banks are getting for properties is below the cost of building.

United States: The market is recovering. New home sales were up by 3,3% in April, while the median home price rose 4,9% from a year ago, illustrating a relatively upbeat picture. New Yorkbased TD Securities comments: “Recent buoyancy has raised hopes that this beleaguered sector is finally on the verge of a rebound.”

PAM GOLDING NEWSLETTER. International market watch

I would like to thank all our members for your support of the Association.

If you have an international luxury brand representative coming to market, would like to get involved in our event series or to sponsor a function, please do not hesitate to call.

I feel truly blessed with the media coverage we have received since the send out of our June newsletter. I would particularly like to thank Prestige, Condé Nast House&Garden and Grazia.

SALA will be writing for Private Life, Prestige, Opulent Living & has also contributed to the Financial Times &

Mintel in the last few weeks.

If you wish to contact me, please email me on silvana.b@sa-la.org or call 0791787867.

SPECIAL THANK YOU

CITADEL PRIVATE WEALTHCARE RANKS NO 1 WEALTH MANAGER FOR SENIOR EXECUTIVESin INVESTORS MONTHLY

Private client wealth manager Citadel was ranked as the leading wealth manager for senior executives in Investors Monthly first ever top private bank and wealth manager awards, published in the magazine’s edition included in Business Day this week.

“We are very encouraged by this ranking as we consider senior executives as a key target market for Citadel. Our ranking as number two for established serial entrepreneurs is also great as we have invested significant resources in the last two years to develop our expertise to be of value to this group,” says CEO, Neil Brown.

In its comments about Citadel’s offering to senior executives the magazine commented on the company’s ability to understand a client’s needs and structure a client’s affairs in a discreet manner.

“We consider Citadels initial process of relationship building and scenario planning as key to our success, which is what the magazine highlighted,” Brown said.

The editors of the magazine also applauded Citadel for its transparent fee structure and noted “which is what builds trust with clients.”

Citadel ranked third overall in the category for wealth managers, a couple of points behind leader Stonehage and second placed Maitland. Investec was ranked as number one in the category for private banks, followed by RMB and BoE.

For the ranking of wealth managers the magazine looked for wealth advisers that theoretically had fewer conflicts of interest as they were not product providers.

Citadel will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2013 and currently manages R20bn for its clients.

Source: Citadel Press Release.