A Night at Buzzcut Market
Combining nightlife culture with the market scene, Buzzcut Market is the new kid on the Cape Town social landscape. Attendees can buy thrifted or locally-produced clothing, enjoy the music and festivity of a night out, and get a tattoo or a piercing while they’re at it.
Buzzcut Market was started by photographer Kayleigh-Anne Kristen. “I jokingly thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be cool if Gorgeous George held a market in the pink room?” she explains.
Kayleigh-Anne worked at Gorgeous George as a waiter and has since moved into the marketing department. After the idea for a market popped into her mind, she realised there weren’t a lot of night markets in Cape Town, particularly ones highlighting the work of up-and-coming creatives. “I wanted to have a space where young creatives and small businesses across all mediums could come together and showcase and sell their work in an established environment,” she says.
“I knew I didn't want it to revolve solely around clothing,” Kayleigh-Anne notes. Buzzcut Market is more of an experience: an opportunity to spontaneously get a tattoo, meet new people or buy some clothes, all set against the backdrop of the iconic pink room of Gorgeous George while DJs like Queezy and Surreal Sessions play.
“When conceptualising Buzzcut further, I was thinking more about what I wanted more of from markets,” she explains. In addition to clothing, Buzzcut Market offers body modifications like piercings and tattoos, as well as art, as a way of holistically supporting Cape Town’s creative scene.
While most of their events take place at Gorgeous George in the city centre, Buzzcut is planning on expanding its audience. Kayleigh-Anne will be collaborating with one of the biggest names in the Cape Town nightlife, Prime, to create a unique market for the summer months.
“I found that Prime’s values aligned well with Buzzcut, specifically their priority of creating space for young POCs to express themselves,” Kayleigh-Anne says.
“There’s a lot of gatekeeping in the creative industry, so I hope that these markets create a culture where everybody gets a chance to be seen and put their work out there,” Kayleigh-Anne says.
Buzzcut Market’s next event is on the 7th of December at Gorgeous George for First Thursdays.
Words by Nabeela Karim for Letterhead
Images by Salvadore Marcial