Founded in Cape Town in 2016 by creative visionary Robyn Keyser, later joined by Tanya Slater in 2019, Artclub and Friends has forged an identity as more than just a label, it’s a community built around artistic integrity, sustainability, and intentional design.
From the outset, the brand’s mantra “By Artists, For Artists” wasn’t just a slogan but a guiding principle. Every piece is crafted with a deep reverence for the creatives behind the scenes—seamstresses, pattern makers, artists and photographers—whose talents breathe life into each garment.
Ethos & Aesthetic
Artclub’s aesthetic started rooted in streetwear culture—think relaxed silhouettes, recognisable branding—but has evolved into a transcendent style ethos that avoids pigeonholes. As Robyn puts it, they’re less about labels and more about letting design speak for itself.
Uni‑sex, adaptable, and built to last: the brand avoids the fast-fashion trap by using organic materials, small-batch production, and garment details like pre-washed denim and taped seams to enhance durability and minimize waste. This minimalist but potent approach reflects both a social conscience and a commitment to quality.
Community in Every Thread
Artclub and Friends is not just owned by women and youth—it’s also powered by them. The brand invests in local micro-enterprises and prioritizes inclusive, equitable production systems. The team behind the brand is a circle of dedicated specialists who each bring an essential vision to the journey.
South African creatives—musicians, DJs, visual artists—have embraced Artclub as a badge of pride. Its understated yet expressive ethos aligns with their own: striving for authenticity without compromise.
The Game-Changing Collab: Artclub and Friends × Mr Price
In early 2025, Artclub and Friends teamed up with Mr Price, marking their first-ever national collaboration—a 16-piece limited-edition capsule, born from a two-year co-creation process that fused boutique design philosophy with mass-market scale.
Robyn describes the project as a “research experiment”: could considered design and quality still survive at accessible price points? The answer came back loud and proud—yes.
Everything in the capsule is priced between R139.99 and R499.99, making designer-led fashion genuinely affordable and widely accessible across South Africa.
This collaboration signals something deeper: it’s proof that independent brands and mainstream retailers can collaborate with integrity. The collection marries artful minimalism with intentional production, all while widening access to consumers otherwise priced out of local designer labels.
It also reinforces Artclub’s position as a thought-leading force within the South African fashion ecosystem—showing that local, considered artistry can coexist with scale, without dilution of identity.
Artclub and Friends is more than just a brand—it’s a movement in minimalist, mindful fashion. With roots in Cape Town’s creative ecosystem and a signature design DNA that combines staple silhouettes with artistic storytelling, they’ve earned a cult following and serious respect beyond fashion circles.
Their collaboration with Mr Price was a masterstroke—not only a stylistic win but a social one, creating work that people can afford, wear, and feel good about.
Artclub and Friends is setting the stage for a new era of South African fashion—fearlessly independent yet accessibly inclusive, intimately crafted yet universally resonant.
If you’re into wardrobes that speak of intention, ethics, design honesty, and a little dose of creative energy—this brand is your vibe.
