Lisa Firer: Taking inspiration from fashion

It was back in February when The Trenery Guild was announced.  I remember sitting at the luncheon fascinated by the collaborators chosen to take part in the programme, from gin distillers to creators of intricate works of art.

Each month Trenery has been investing in established and up-and-coming creatives in a meaningful way. Only South Africans are featured and they produce beautiful, delicious or just plain jaw-dropping items.

But the October collaborator is definitely unique. Cape Town-based ceramicist Lisa Firer becomes the sixth collaborator to join The Trenery Guild.

Known for her unique porcelain items that are created through a hand-rolled slab-building technique, Firer’s work is collected by those who have a love for finely-crafted handiwork.

For The Trenery Guild activation next month, she created a jewellery dish inspired by the Edit clothing collection.

“I’ve been interested in fabrics all my life and so much of my work is a coming together of pieces. There’s a layering of form and a making of the two-dimensional into the three-dimensional – not unlike the creation of a garment,” she says about the dish.

For this collaboration, she draws on the strong, geometric motif featured in the October range, which is essentially monochromatic art. The print is both powerful and delicate, which is reflective her aesthetic.

“The way she has interpreted the Trenery print is special – she made a stencil of the print and rolled this into the porcelain, creating a double impression of texture and print,” says Jane Grimme, Trenery head of design.

The dish, which can be used for jewellery or ornaments, will be available for purchase – but the true impact is the way it will be featured in store. So far all collaborators had a moment to shine, with deft information given about the creators, what they do and why they are unique.

It’s a celebration of South African ideas. Each creative has to interpret and celebrate unique aspects of Trenery through a commissioned artwork and unique in-store activation.

These activations have included sensory journeys and in-depth talks which sit alongside the release of a limited edition item. It’s also a way to monetise items by creatives in a way that features them in a store, where their work is allowed outside their studios or work spaces – giving it mass appreciation.

Some of the upcoming collaborators, set to be revealed next month are equally impressive – which hopefully leads into a 2019 edition of the partnership.

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