The Watershed at the V&A Waterfront reopens with a fresh offering of local beauty brands

This beautiful space is home to 150 tenants who represent over 365 local brands and small businesses, and with an impressive 3.6 million visitors a year, it has become an attraction in its own right.

After having been closed since April due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the Watershed now welcomes visitors back to discover and support some of the best local designers and creative businesses.

Along with many familiar faces and favourites, a new offering will also be launched when the doors reopen, in form of The Beauty Box. This area will be a new addition to the Watershed family, a dedicated space where locals can discover and shop for proudly African beauty products. As well as being able to browse the wide array of handmade and locally produced products, the visitors will be able to meet and mingle with some of the makers behind the brands.

Some of the brands on display here include; Skoon, Olive Soaps Tintiloux, Peppertree, Kafui Naturals, Anima Naturals, Chill Cape Town, Le Naturel and Ubuntu Traditional Balms.

As well as the new brands showcased at the Beauty Box, popular local fashion designer, Amanda Laird Cherry will also be opening her first stand-alone stand in the Watershed. One of South Africa’s most prolific designers, her beautiful range is made in collaboration with local crafters, creating “apparel with soul”.

According to Tinyiko Mageza, Executive Manager: Marketing at the V&A Waterfront, “The Watershed is a physical manifestation of what happens when you introduce the world to the passion, skill and innovation of Africa. There’s inspired thought and inspired work here – the continent is full of life and unconventional solution and artistry. The tenants here represent some of the most beautiful and creative local skills, each with their own story to tell.”

“We encourage all locals to come and meet Africa’s design story. These are the people behind the products and brands that need us to #supportlocal now more than ever,” she continues.

The Watershed offers a vast selection of products, from ceramics and furniture, to textiles, fashion and jewellery, and serves as a location where small businesses, local artists and craftspeople come together to inspire and be inspired. This is a space where local brands are nurtured and grown, so that in return they can create opportunity for others.

While the V&A Waterfront encourages visitors to #supportlocal and visit the Watershed, it still places an emphasis on social distancing and has been dedicated in implementing measures to safeguard all who visit, work and play there. The V&A Waterfront is one of 80 global travel destinations, and the first in South Africa, to have been awarded a Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council. This is the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene accolade for travel and tourism, developed to specifically address the COVID-19 pandemic.

The doors to the Watershed will officially be open to the public from 10am on Thursday, 3 September.