Couture and coffee at Black

Admire Cape Town’s top designer wear over good shot of espresso, or a vanilla latté at café Black

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“I’ve rarely seen clothing and a coffee shop in the same space,” says Black café’s suitably fashionable waiter Hershey, “You’ll find plenty of gyms or bookshops with coffee shops, but very rarely is coffee and clothing combined.”

And why not? Shopping for designer wear takes some time and deliberation and sometimes even a good cup of coffee. Which is why Grant Blackbeard (you might know him from Blackbeard or Dove Clothing) decided to showcase this new fashion and coffee space at the 15 on Orange Hotel in Orange Street.

That little black dress, and a black coffee

So while you browse around admiring the luxurious fabrics and tailored designs at Black café, your company can oooh and aaah over a caramel flavoured latte. Want to try something on? (Yes, of course that gown was made just for you). Let them order some hazelnut steamers for second rounds while they watch you strut across the floor wearing gown after gown, from Jenny Button’s Philosophy range to cocktail dresses from Elizabeth Gilles or Gavin Rajah Couture.

Be warned though that the enchanted look on the faces of your company may not just be because you really belong on the catwalk. The steamer (hot frothy milk, with a shot of coffee and flavoured syrup) is quite something too. The steamer is served in a Seaco coffee vase, which keeps your coffee hot for longer (in case you just quickly have to interrupt your coffee break to try on a piece of statement jewellery or a designer handbag too) and the stirrer looks like a silvery shoe horn.

Artisan pastries and artistic designs

In the case that your flirtation with some of Cape Town’s best fashion offerings work up a bit of an appetite, there’s also some artisan pastries on offer, including Custard Danish, croissants, apple crumble and cakes – or whatever fresh finds are made at Marcelino’s bakery on the day.

Simple, tailored designs that are easy to match with other garments sell for between R300 and R15 000 at Black café. The collections include Nazir Bindi, Terrence Bray, Ruff Tung, Mandy Bronner and Take Care. If you find designer prices a bit steep, there’s also nothing wrong with a good dose of healthy fashion admiration and a good espresso at a mere R12.

Hershey says he sees new faces at café Black every day.  The City Sight Seeing Tour stops right at the 15 on Orange Hotel, where Black café lures the trendier explorers into its enchanting showroom and patio. Indeed, coffee and couture is a fabulous combination and Cape Town’s fashionistas already approve.

By Lize de Kock

Café Black | 15 Orange Street | City Centre

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