take note*
KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP Make Sustainable Living & Learning Fun
6
REST MA EC
EC
just opened up his first store in Hillcrest. “It’s more like a showroom. I am in and out all day, but I have great coffee – so please pop in for a cup and a browse!” Mainly doing markets, and with a strong focus on his online store, Anton has branched out with this new spot – located at the back of Hillcrest Centre – and hopes it can eventually also turn into a creative space for wine tasting
and other fun events. The Ratbag journey began in 2012. “We threw a couple of designs together, wanting to introduce a clothing brand that would best engage the Durban culture and emphasise a comfortable attitude, consequently coining the term ‘comfortude’,” says Anton. “We had the intention of a stylish, quirky, funky men’s clothing range that would catch the eye of any customer and put
T KEPT S ES
Anton Southwood recently closed down his Ratbag factory and gifted the sewing machines to his employees – empowering these ladies to run their own businesses. Now he outsources all his work to the three manufacturing hubs they have created, using fabrics and prints/designs he has imported. A Kloof resident, Anton has
FOR MORE INFO: www.ecohome. education; jacqueline@ecohome.education
ZINE’S B GA
Funky Ratbag Opens In Hillcrest
explains Jacqueline McCarroll – EcoHome Director. The EcoHome kit is informative, engaging and easy to understand. While educating children on sustainable practices, it also promotes fine motor development through constructing the pieces and also encourages reading and discussion through the information cards. EcoHome are running a fantastic competition until September. “Find a gold sun in your EcoHome pack and win one of the collectable items for your school – such as a water tank, recycle bins, LED bulbs, etc. Find a silver sun in your EcoHome pack and win R2 500 towards your school fees,” says Jacqueline.
RET • TH
EcoHome, a South African made educational activity for children that teaches the importance of sustainable living, launched during Youth Month in selected Spar stores across KwaZuluNatal. Each EcoHome flat pack kit retails for R129,95 and includes a house, assembly card, 16 collectable items and 17 information cards. “With most schools bringing sustainability into the curriculum, help your kids learn how to take care of our planet and the importance of recycling, permaculture, healthy living and conservation of resources. “Building their own eco-home using earth-saving materials will teach them the principles of sustainable living in a tangible, educational and fun way,”
w w w . t h e c r e s t o n l i n e . c o . z a
a smile on anyone’s face.” The infamous Ratbag Chiller Shorts were born, and today the range has expanded to board shorts, golf shorts and smart casual shirts – in a wide range of unique and quirky prints. Big sizes, 3XL-5XL, can be made to order. There are also groovy masks and 100% cotton bed linen. FOR MORE INFO: 083 578 8355; www.ratbag.co.za; info@ratbag.co.za
