KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP

Funky Ratbag Opens In Hillcrest 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 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 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