Above: Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel. Photo by Mark Williams.
Albeit the Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel has garnered a reputation as “the home of the Cape’s afternoon tea”, it’s not typically tied to à la mode fashion — until now. This pink-hued palace nestled at the foot of Table Mountain has relaunched this beloved afternoon pastime with a designer touch. Collaborating with Twyg, the luxe hotel will present a special CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS afternoon tea for five days this November, which will combine limited-edition fashion shows with designer-inspired confectionery and cocktails.
Taking cues from the trendy afternoon teas hosted at some of London’s best addresses, including Jimmy Choo at The Berkeley, The Parlour at Sketch and Salon Couture High-Tea at The Savoy, the Mount Nelson is now joining the ranks of a handful of prestigious international establishments who have added a dose of glam to their afternoon tea and cake rituals. Expect the latest and greatest in South African fashion paired with scrumptious sweet treats, moreish loose-leaf teas, refreshing champagne and oodles of cake — sounds like heaven, right?
For the inaugural CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS event, guests can look forward to first-hand views of exclusive fashion shows from South Africa’s foremost designers. All boasting global acclaim, the list includes Thebe Magugu and Sindiso Khumalo (both LVMH Prize winners), Lezanne Viviers of VIVIERS Studio, Laduma Ngxokolo of cult label MAXHOSA AFRICA, as well as Maxwell Boko and Mmuso Potsane of MMUSOMAXWELL, winner of the Karl Lagerfeld Award for Innovation at the International Woolmark Prize 2022.
Left to right: Mount Nelson Confections x Collections with Viviers, Mmusomaxwell and Thebe Magugu
In celebration of the country’s remarkable creative minds and rich culture, Mount Nelson’s pastry chef Vicky Gurovich has worked alongside each of the designers to create a bespoke confectionery based on their very own imagining. To round this exciting experience off, a unique cocktail has also been created to match each of their shows.
Upon arrival, guests will be served a complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon to kick off the festivities on a luxurious and stylish note. From the eyes to the palate, all senses will be wowed, courtesy of Mount Nelson’s new Afternoon Tea menu which brims with an irresistible selection of cakes, tarts, loaves, fluffy scones and savoury treats, plus a few surprise gateaux. But the savour-filled splendour won’t end there: visitors can also choose from an impressive selection of 62 loose-leaf teas, a digestif cart with whiskies, cognacs and liqueurs, plus a barista presenting a variety of single-origin African coffees to accompany their fashionable feast.
All this is further accented by the beauty and grandeur of the hotel itself, which is surrounded by lush gardens and striking views of Cape Town’s famed Table Mountain. An icon in the city’s hospitality circuit, Mount Nelson has hosted some of the world’s most notable personalities over its 123-year history, such as David Bowie and Iman, Charlize Theron, the Dalai Lama and John Lennon, among others.
Brought to you by Twyg, creators of content and experiences that champion sustainability and circular design, CONFECTIONS X COLLECTIONS will run for 5 days from 16 – 20 November with two seatings per designer per day at 12pm and 3pm. Tickets sell for R950 per person.
Above: Mount Nelson Confections x Collections with fashion label Maxhosa Africa
Space is limited, so reserve your table now via email at restaurantreservations.mnh@belmond.com or via telephone at +27 21 483-1000