WISH IDIDTHAT September 2025 – View Showcase

ABOUT THE WORK
The 1862 Collection: A canvas for stories of growth
Standard Bank’s purpose is to drive growth across Africa – not just in business, but in culture, community, and creativity. That purpose comes to life at the 1862 Experience Store, a retail experience unlike typical corporate merchandising. Designed more like a gallery than a shop, it offers thoughtfully crafted products that connect people to the brand in meaningful, lasting ways.

Everything in the store is intentional. Rather than offering giveaways destined for the bin, 1862 curates items rooted in African design, quality, and storytelling. It’s a new way to show what the brand stands for – through objects people actually want to keep. And it’s working: with over R16.8 million in merchandise sales, and a jump from 130th to 18th on Forbes’ World’s Best Employers list, the store proves that design can deepen connection.

As part of this offering is a collection of luxury scarves – an ideal canvas for storytelling. Scarves are versatile, wearable across styles and cultures, and enduringly collectable. They signal quality, craft, and care – everything the 1862 brand stands for. More than accessories, they become keepsakes that carry meaning and start conversations.

Each scarf in the collection tells a uniquely African story through textile, illustrated by local artists and crafted with fine detail.
The Weaver of Prosperity draws on the story of Kwame, a fictional weaver whose trade uplifted not just himself but his entire community. Set in Delft-inspired blues and whites, the design nods to Cape heritage while celebrating collaboration, enterprise, and shared success.

The Tree of Life takes inspiration from Africa’s iconic baobab, showcasing the life it sustains – honeybees, bush babies, red-billed weavers – tucked into its branches. It’s a quiet celebration of ecosystems, community, and deep roots, illustrated in Standard Bank’s signature blue.
Together, these scarves embody 1862’s ethos: purposeful, premium design that resonates.
A new chapter in brand storytelling – made to be kept.

CREDITS
Client/Brand: Standard Bank
Marketing Manager: Margaret Nienaber, Yolisa Koza, Diana Springer, Kea Mawela

Agency: Ogilvy South Africa
Chief Creative Officer: Pete Case
Executive Creative Director: Liana Liebenberg
Creative Director: Liana Liebenberg
Managing Director: Mathew Weiss
Account Management: Anastasia Cost, Natalie Woker
Strategist: Angie Hattingh, Christy Nell

Design Agency: (Not an IDIDTHAT member)

Architecture Firm: ATMOS

*If your company collaborated on this project and you’re not featured, please contact studio@ididthat.co and we’ll help you become a member.