Fashion lawyer, Sumaiya De’Mar, tells us about what it like to live in Gordons Bay in the Western Cape.
Lawyer, Sumaiya De’Mar, is a fashion law pioneer o¬ffering specialist legal services tailored to the fashion industry to help designers protect their brands and businesses.
She was based in Green Point until she decided to move to Gordon’s Bay a few months ago. “A friend suggested looking at Harbour Island in Gordon’s Bay and I fell in love with it at first sight,” says Sumaiya. “There’s something magical about being surrounded by water and having seals on your doorstep.”
The waterfront development blends into the rest of the town of Gordon’s Bay with a series of marinas and islands close to the end of Bikini Beach. “Being surrounded by water has a serene e-ffect on the soul,” she says. “It soothes and calms the senses, which allows inspiration to seep in. This helps me focus on my work and stay motivated.”
Working from home gave Sumaiya the flexibility to move to this inspiring new home, but she loves that it’s still close enough to be able to drive into the city a few times a week. “I commute into Cape Town often, which I find to be quite an enjoyable drive. I try not to go at peak traffic times, so it takes me about 45 minutes to an hour.”
In her free time, she enjoys exploring her neighbourhood. “I love walking along Bikini Beach and taking long drives up the mountains. There are also some fantastic restaurants, boutiques and art galleries in the area. Bertie’s Moorings, which is situated at the waterfront in Harbour Island, has great food and live music on the weekends. For a fine dining experience, there’s the Krystal Restaurant, which also overlooks the marina.”
Gordon’s Bay has everything you need in the way of shopping – there’s Somerset Mall nearby and the Cape Winelands area is within easy reach. “My favourite discovery thus far has definitely been the art and crafts exhibition on the first Sunday of every month at the Ndiza Gallery at the Krystal Beach Hotel, where one can purchase some unique items including paintings, sculptures and jewellery.”
When asked if there’s anything she misses about living in Cape Town, Sumaiya says, “It’s a double-edged sword for me. I miss the nightlife of central Cape Town and the buzz of Kloof Street. At the same time, I’m enjoying being away from the noise and I find peace in the silence.”
There’s something beautiful about the picturesque mountains, the tranquil beaches, and the Mediterranean inspired architecture of Gordon's Bay that leaves one feeling invigorated.
-Sumaiya De’Mar.
Eating out in Gordon’s Bay:
- Restaurant at Waterkloof: for fine dining in Somerset West
- The Thirsty Oyster: for mussels and sundowners
- Zest Restaurant: for bistro fare and seafood
- Ooskus Visserye: for traditional fish and chips
- Mary-Ann’s Natural Emporium: for vegan and vegetarian food
Things to do in Gordon’s Bay:
- Walk, sunbathe and swim at Blue Flag Bikini Beach.
- Watch whales in winter and dolphins all year round.
- Hike on the mountain trail above the village or in the Helderberg Nature Reserve.
- Take part in the annual Winter Wonderland festival of lights in June.
- Explore the Helderberg Wine Route.
About Sumaiya De’Mar:
With a background in law and an abiding interest in fashion, Sumaiya De’Mar offers a bespoke service to the creative industry through her company, SA Fashion Law. The relatively new discipline of fashion law incorporates several legal concepts, including intellectual property law, IT law, social media law, ethics, business and contracts. It covers not just the fashion industry, but creative professions at large.
Interested in moving to Gordons Bay? Check out the houses for sale in Gordons Bay here.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
