Black Coffee
Black Coffee is the Johannesburg fashion label of South African designer Jacques van der Watt, who showed its first collection in 1999. It is known for structural tailoring, geometric shapes and inventive fabrication in workwear and eveningwear.
| Designer | Jacques van der Watt |
|---|---|
| First collection | 1999 |
| Base | Johannesburg |
| Award | Mercedes-Benz Award for South African Art and Culture |
| Website | blackcoffee.co.za |
What is Black Coffee?
Black Coffee is a South African womenswear label designed by Jacques van der Watt and based in Johannesburg. It is known for structural flair and inspired fabrication, combining refined tailoring and geometric shapes with subtly feminine details.
History
Van der Watt debuted at South African Fashion Week in 1998 and presented the first Black Coffee collection in 1999. The label became a regular name on the South African fashion calendar, and van der Watt received the Mercedes-Benz Award for South African Art and Culture as well as the 2017 SAFW Cape Wools SA Designer Challenge. Black Coffee long operated a store at 44 Stanley in Milpark, Johannesburg, which closed at the start of the 2020 lockdown as the brand moved its sales online.
Products and positioning
The label designs wearable but conceptual clothing, including:
- Everyday workwear with architectural cuts
- Evening gowns
- Relaxed leisurewear
Distribution
Black Coffee sells through its own online shop.
Why it matters
With more than two decades of collections, Black Coffee is an established independent designer label in South Africa with a distinctive approach to construction and fabrication.
Frequently asked questions
Who designs Black Coffee?
Black Coffee is designed by South African designer Jacques van der Watt, who showed its first collection in 1999.
Where is Black Coffee based?
The label is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and sells through its online shop.