South African creativity gained international recognition after the fashion film 'Where I Belong,' created as part of The Art of Collaboration Jaipur Edition, won the award for best experimental short film at the London Women's Film Festival.
This project brought together South African brands in the fields of fashion, beauty, jewelry, and design in Jaipur, India. The goal was to explore the connection between South African creativity and the rich heritage of Indian craftsmanship.
Among the participants was Cape Island—a South African brand of home luxury fragrance products known for drawing inspiration from the landscapes and sense of place of its country. The collaboration provided the brand with an opportunity to showcase its distinctiveness on the international stage while celebrating the cultural influences that shape creative expression.
The meeting of South African and Indian heritage in Jaipur
The event, held under the slogan 'Heritage in Dialogue, Luxury Reimagined,' within the 2026 The Art of Collaboration Jaipur Edition, used the Indian city not merely as a backdrop. The palaces, architecture, textiles, jewelry, and age-old traditions of India became part of the visual dialogue between South Africa and India.
A central figure in the project was South African model and media personality Bronyn Govender, whose South African-Indian background added a personal dimension to the exploration of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage. These themes were unified through fashion, photography, and cinema.
The resulting film 'Where I Belong' was directed by Paula Zapata, and Maropeng Wushange served as the cinematographer. It subsequently received the award for best experimental short film at the London Women's Film Festival.
Cape Island showcases South African luxury abroad
For Cape Island, participating in the collaboration was a chance to present a distinctly South African brand alongside international luxury, design, and craftsmanship. Susanna from Cape Island noted: 'It was something incredibly special to see Cape Island in Jaipur. We have always believed that South African luxury has its own story, rooted in our landscapes, our creativity, and our sense of place. Seeing Cape Island standing confidently in this extraordinary international setting was a very proud moment for us.'
The project linked the splendor of The Leela Palace Jaipur hotel with the landscapes that inspire the creation of Cape Island fragrances back home. The element of hospitality connecting the two destinations also included Lanzerac Hotel and Spa from South Africa and The Leela Palace Jaipur.
This cooperation reflects Cape Island's international aspirations while maintaining a connection to its South African roots.
The Global Journey of The Art of Collaboration
The Art of Collaboration, founded in 2019 by South African designer Steven Van Ieden, gathers various creative disciplines around a specific location and central theme. Before Jaipur, the project visited New York, Cape Town, Paris, and Marrakech; Jaipur became the fifth destination.
The latest iteration of the event placed South African talents in dialogue with the traditions of Indian craftsmanship, emphasizing how fashion, design, and cinema can explore common themes across different cultures. For Cape Island, this was another opportunity to present African luxury to an international audience without losing the distinctiveness that sets the brand apart.
Participation in the film 'Where I Belong' underscores the significance of creative collaborations in taking South African design and storytelling beyond the country's borders.