A Fresh Take on Denim Comes to Cavendish Square

Showcase of young Cape Town creativity and reimagined denim from 22 September to 4 October

What began with Cape Town shoppers clearing pre-loved denim from their wardrobes will soon become a public celebration of young creativity, as Cavendish Square unveils the next chapter of its Denim for Good initiative. From 22 September to 4 October, the shopping centre will host a special Denim for Good exhibition showcasing original creations made from denim donated by shoppers during the campaign.

The exhibition will feature work by 13 high school learners who attend art classes at the Peter Clarke Art Centre, alongside pieces created by female entrepreneurs from the Amy Foundation. For some of the young artists, it will be the first time their work has been displayed to the public on this scale.

The learners represent 13 Cape Town schools: South Peninsula High School, Norman Henshilwood High School, Pinelands High School, Star College Cape Town, Wynberg High School, Isilimela High School, Zonnebloem Nest Senior School, Groote Schuur High School, Maitland High School, Vista Nova High School, Oakley House High School, Zwaanswyk High School and Wynberg Girls’ High School.

From Pre-Loved Jeans to Young Creativity

Launched in July, Denim for Good invited Cavendish Square shoppers to donate gently worn denim that could be put to use rather than discarded. The garments were handed over to learners at the Peter Clarke Art Centre, where denim became the starting point for exploring upcycling, sustainability and creative expression.

The Peter Clarke Art Centre has been providing visual art and design education since 1943 and today works with learners and educators from schools and communities throughout greater Cape Town.

“I’m incredibly excited to see our learners’ work come to life and to have them exhibit at Cavendish Square, with some experiencing a public exhibition of this scale for the very first time,” says Ras Silas Motse, Educator and Marketing Lead at the Peter Clarke Art Centre. “It has been inspiring to see how they are reimagining denim and exploring sustainability through their creativity, and I can’t wait for the public to see what they have created. This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity for our young artists to be seen, celebrated and reminded that their creative voices have a place in the wider world.”

The project also continues through Cavendish Square’s collaboration with the Amy Foundation. Remaining donated denim will be used as part of the Foundation’s Youth Skills Development Programme, which equips unemployed young people with practical vocational, life and workplace skills to help prepare them for employment, further study or entrepreneurship.

“We look forward to bringing the Denim for Good campaign to life and to see how this exhibition can create meaningful opportunities within our community. It’s especially inspiring to give young creatives a platform to showcase their talent, share their stories and have their work seen and celebrated at Cavendish Square,” added Warda Gertse, Marketing Manager at Cavendish Square.

For every gently worn denim item donated during the campaign, Cavendish Square will also make an in-kind contribution to the Amy Foundation, extending the impact of the community’s donations beyond the exhibition itself.

The Denim for Good exhibition will be open to the public on the Ground Floor of Cavendish Square and there is no cost to attend. Shoppers are invited to view the creations and learn more about the Peter Clarke Art Centre and the Amy Foundation’s Youth Skills Development Programme.

For more details on Cavendish Square shopping centre’s stores and promotions, visit www.cavendish.co.za or follow the centre on social media for regular updates https://www.instagram.com/cavendishsquare/.