City Secrets | Merchants on Long

Merchants on Long exclusively stocks products sourced from all over Africa. All products are produced with fair trade and organic materials wherever possible.  Merchants aims to showcase the best of African design whilst simultaneously contributing towards the upliftment of local communities.

What is the overall style of the collection?

All of the brands stocked at Merchants on Long are made in Africa. This does not mean that they all have necessarily the same style. The two most obvious themes running through the Merchants on Long collection are probably new wave African designers that are juxtaposed to that of a more traditional colonial look and feel.

What encouraged you to start your own line and how did you go about doing so?

When I moved back to South Africa to start my handbag line ?Okapi? I looked all over for unique stores to retail out of but I wasn?t successful. This got me thinking and I wanted to create a world class creative platform for African designers to sell from.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I am inspired by a forgotten, pre-colonial Africa- one filled with mysticism and magic, danger and voodoo.

What do you find the most inspiring destination in the world?

Deepest darkest Africa.

What is your own personal style?

Classical peppered with unique and special accessories.

What is one of the best shopping finds you?ve had in your travels?

A snake vertebrae necklace from the African Art Center in Durban.