text chipo mapondera powerdresser photography … · clothing is bespoke because i am extremely...

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powerdresser CO

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R MCCREEDY

Artist &

entrepreneur

UPFRONT

in side

As an artist and entrepreneur, or what he calls an “artrepreneur”,Conor Mccreedy is best known for his exclusive Mccreedy Blueart. Despite dropping out of the Pratt Institute, Mccreedy madehistory as the youngest artist exhibited at the National Arts Club inNew York City. Known for an abstract expressionist aesthetic, hehas exhibited at Manhattan’s Charles Bank Gallery where his full-scale shack presented a controversial view on SA’s history andpolitics, and at Johannesburg’s Everard Read Gallery, where he hasbeen represented by Nick Dreyer since early this year. His piecesare now worth hundreds of thousands, some even millions of rand.

For the 26-year-old, art and commerce go hand-in-hand. Hissignature Mccreedy Blue pigment will soon be patented and setsthe tone for his next endeavour, the Mccreedy Blue PAL Bracelet.This range of bracelets, designed and manufactured by LianneLandman, are created by women in Johannesburg’s Diepsloot andDainfern areas and will support his foundation Protecting AfricanLions (PAL), a cause he feels does not receive enough attention.

Selling for $21 each, $2 from the sale of each bracelet will bedonated to PAL, with another $4 going to affiliated charitiesincluding the Ubuntu Education Fund. The initiative launchesonline this month and, with the support of names such as DonnaKaran, Francois Pienaar, Rohan Marley, Caroline Kende, AshishThakkar and Colin Cowie, the projected sale of 1-million braceletsin nine months does not seem too far-fetched.

Mccreedy Blue may become a recognisable colour sooner thanexpected as talks are underway for two projects that will featurethe bold colour. A fleet of Virgin Airlines airplanes flying betweenLondon and Joburg will be painted Mccreedy Blue to introduce thePAL Bracelets to Virgin travellers who can pay an extra $21 andreceive a bracelet on boarding. Standard Bank has alsocommissioned a mural to be painted in the tone in its newRosebank headquarters.

Suit, shirt and pocket square by Peyman Umay Most of myclothing is bespoke because I am extremely finicky about detailsand fit. My Turkish friend Peyman makes tailor-made pieces for mein return for sketches. w w w. p e y m a n u m a y. co m Shoes by ArfangoThese shoes are handmade in Italy and are so bespoke that eachpair is numbered. www.ar fango.wordpress.com Ring by ChristopherGreig This is a family signet ring designed by another good friendChris Greig, featuring the Shepstone and Mccreedy crests.Cufflinks These are also custom-made pieces made of gold withblack diamond studs. Mccreedy Blue PAL Bracelet This b ra c e l e t ,created in aid of my new foundation PAL, symbolises theconnection between people and lions.

MCCREEDY RECOMMENDSFavourite city? London because of its history. Paris because of itschic sophistication. Favourite restaurant? Novita is an understatedItalian restaurant in the Gramercy Park area of New York(w w w. n o v i t a n yc. co m ). Alcoholic beverage? Campari on a hotsummer’s day. Most valuable item in your wardrobe? Although Iuse my Nike FuelBand everyday, I have a collection of watchesfrom Cartier, Panerai, Patek Philippe, Longine and Rolex that Iwear for special occasions. Your utmost luxury? Bathrobes fromFrette (w w w. f r e t t e. co m ). Fragrance? Acqua di Parma. Book? BillBryson’s A Short History Of Nearly Anything . Favourite device? MyiPhone. The thing you love most about your city? New York City isincredibly dynamic and Johannesburg is my balance.

11 M AY 2013 WA N T E D

The Power Dressers featured in this monthlycolumn are automatically entered as finalists

in our annual Wanted Most StylishBusinessperson Award, sponsored by Jameson

Select Reserve. The award forms part of theSA Style Awards, celebrating SA’s most

stylish individuals. The event is held at theTsogo Sun, Hyde Park.

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