Se-Anne Rall|Published
South African creativity has earned international recognition after Where I Belong, a fashion film produced as part of The Art of Collaboration Jaipur Edition, won Best Experimental Short Film at the London Women Film Festival.
The project brought together South African fashion, beauty, jewellery and design brands in Jaipur, India, to explore the relationship between South African creativity and India's rich heritage of craftsmanship.
Among the participating brands was Cape Island, the South African luxury home fragrance label known for drawing inspiration from the country's landscapes and sense of place.
The collaboration offered the brand an opportunity to showcase its identity in an international setting while celebrating the cultural influences that shape creative expression.
South African and Indian heritage meet in Jaipur
Held under the theme “Heritage in Dialogue, Luxury Redefined”, the 2026 Art of Collaboration Jaipur Edition used the Indian city as more than a backdrop.
Its palaces, architecture, textiles, jewellery and centuries-old traditions became part of a visual conversation between South Africa and India.
At the heart of the project was South African model and media personality Bryoni Govender, whose South African-Indian heritage brought a personal dimension to the exploration of identity, belonging and cultural heritage.
These themes were brought together through fashion, photography and film.
The resulting film, Where I Belong, was directed by Paula Zapata, with Maropeng Vushangwe serving as director of photography. It subsequently received the Best Experimental Short Film award at the London Women Film Festival.
Cape Island takes South African luxury abroad
For Cape Island, participating in the collaboration was an opportunity to see a distinctly South African brand represented alongside international luxury, design and craftsmanship.
“There was something incredibly special about seeing Cape Island in Jaipur. We have always believed that South African luxury has its own story to tell, one rooted in our landscapes, our creativity and our sense of place. To see Cape Island standing confidently in this extraordinary international setting was a very proud moment for us,” said Suzanne of Cape Island.
The project connected the grandeur of The Leela Palace Jaipur with the landscapes that inspire Cape Island's fragrances back home.
South Africa's Lanzerac Hotel and Spa and The Leela Palace Jaipur were also part of the hospitality element connecting the two destinations.
The collaboration reflects Cape Island's international ambitions while maintaining its connection to its South African roots.
The Art of Collaboration's global journey
Founded in 2019 by South African designer Stephen Van Eeden, The Art of Collaboration brings together different creative disciplines around a destination and a central theme.
Before Jaipur, the project travelled through New York, Cape Town, Paris and Marrakech. Jaipur became its fifth destination.
The latest edition placed South African creative talent in conversation with India's traditions of craftsmanship, highlighting how fashion, design and film can explore shared themes across cultures.
For Cape Island, the project offered another opportunity to present African luxury to an international audience without losing sight of the identity that sets it apart.
Its participation in Where I Belong highlights the role of creative collaborations in taking South African design and storytelling beyond the country's borders.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
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