KIN at V&A : Moving forward

To all our KINfolk,

September 2010 saw our first pop-up at V&A open.
It was the start of a relationship that would span almost five years. In that time, we have achieved so much we are proud of;

• we brought locally manufactured contemporary design to V&A,
• we helped rent a space that was empty for over two years to two new stores,
• we moved from pop-up (2010-2012) to permanent (2012-2015),
• through the wonderful collaboration of V&A, CCDI, Blue & Red Shed Stall holders and KIN, we were part of the conceptualisation of the Watershed,
• over R7 million in sales from our 25sqm space at Alfred Mall between September 2010-February 2015

Oh if we could count how many loads this little Ka has done!

It has been an incredible journey and one that I would not had the opportunity to record and marvel at if it were not for the news I am about to share.

KIN's mantra has always been that every home in SA should have a SA designed and manufactured object. Our goal with V&A was to give space to, and prove the commercial viability of contemporary SA design. With the opening of Watershed as well as stores such as Made in SA, it has been wonderful to be a part of and witness the remarkable growth of SA design at the V&A. Although we celebrate this and our time at the V&A, we feel that we are needed elsewhere and that our time as the flagship of contemporary SA design at V&A has passed on to, and is well represented by, the designer-owned stores as well as the wonderful stores supporting SA design.

From a practical perspective, this means that the store will close, at the end of our lease, on 13 April.

None of this would have been possible without the amazing community KIN at V&A effortlessly created - our wonderful KIN Angels, designers, locals, tourists, V&A staff and fellow shops in the lovely Alfred Mall. We have customers from all over the world who still make KIN a part of their visit to Cape Town. Luckily, we live in a time where staying in contact is as easy as a few clicks - we hope to keep in touch with all our KINfolk over emails, through our website, or on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and via our newsletter.

It is the belief and support in what we are doing that is the fuel that drives us forward. Thank you for being at part of the celebration that KIN at V&A has been, and I look forward to venturing forth with you as KIN on Kloof, KIN online and other incarnations.

With kin(d) regards,
Chantal

​Wall of Fame
We are incredibly grateful for the belief and support of the following people;

Thessa Bos, my co-founder and first KIN

V&A
Adine Lourens
Chantelle Cole
​Emma Jackson
Hannlie Rennie
Leigh Thomas
Mark Noble
Natasha Louw

Cape Town Magazine
Lana Kenney - Lanalou Style
Meg de Jong - Mind the Curves
Vicki Sleet - iwantthat

Angels
Eliana Guevara
Melany Hodgson

Adelaide Mavu
Anna Raimondo
Anna Richerby
Emalie Bingham
Hloniphile Cebekhulu
Hayley Murison
Keri Muller
Lindsay Meyerowitz​
Mimi Ncube
Natasha Steyn
Ruby Baille
Sonja von Maltzahn
Sam Floquet
Tshego Ramatlo
Tamzin Warden
Tasneem Kamies