Cornelis Hundersmarck

A sun-soaked road trip with South Africa-born musician Cornelis Hundersmarck, who shares his favourite spots in the city

Between the majestic Table Mountain and the undulating waters where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet lies Cape Town, a city which has inspired SMR Days since the beginning (our Bakoven shirt is named for one of the peninsula’s many rugged beaches).

Armed with our latest collection – menswear instilled with a feeling of ease – the city provides the backdrop for a sun-soaked road trip along Cape Town’s coastline with South Africa-born musician Cornelis Hundersmarck, styled by SMR Days’ creative director Dan May. Now living in Los Angeles, Cape Town remains “home” for Cornelis – his perfect day would be a morning in the mountains, an afternoon on Barley Beach, and an evening beer and braai (the South African equivalent of a barbecue).

Here, wearing pieces from SMR Days’ Resort 2022 collection, he shares his favourite spots in the city – and where he’s heading next.

What does Cape Town mean to you?

I was born in South Africa, but we actually moved to Saudi Arabia when I was six, and spent a good 20 years there. But I came back to Cape Town for school when I was 13, so Cape Town has always been a big part of my life. The city has always represented a ‘coming home’ for me. I’ve been living in New York and Los Angeles for the last 20 years so the fact that Cape Town still represents home means a lot.

What is your favourite way to spend a day in the city?

It would have to be a combo of an early run in the mountains with my girl and our dog, a day on the beach and then a cold beer and braai – barbecue – at a mate’s house in the evening. Cape Town is really all about the outdoors.

Cornelis wears : Paloma Shirt in Aqua. Coming soon: Hiri Shorts in Aqua and Sand

What would you recommend for people who have never been?

Pretty much exactly what I described above! Although hitting a few of the wine farms and incredible restaurants in the area definitely ranks up there too. You have your pick of anything in this city.

Do you have a favourite place? A restaurant, hotel, beach?

My favourite restaurant is The Duchess of Wisbeach, Thursday nights are just a one-of-a-kind experience – the food’s pretty great too. I also love dive bars so Van Hunkson Kloof Street has always been a favourite of mine. It’s a hang out for a lot of musicians, so I always run into old friends and people I’ve jammed with. My favourite beach is between Barley Beach in Bakoven and Clifton 1st Beach. You can take your dogs to Clifton which is pretty great.

You’re a musician, photographer – tell us a little bit about how you would describe what you do.

So the main gig the last few years has definitely been the music. I was more of a session guitarist for a long time and then decided to move to Los Angeles and do my own music with a friend of mine. Then boom, Covid hit and everything got pushed back a year or two. It’s been a tough couple of years. We did get into some music for film during that time, and wrote a bunch of stuff for a Sophie Turner movie, I really enjoyed that side of the business too. Photography is just something I’ve always loved. Just a different medium to get something creative out of myself.

Where do you go to find inspiration?

I used to think inspiration came from inside and that I could conjure it up whenever I needed, but Covid really shut down that idea. I had all the time in the world and the inspiration was nowhere to be found. I realised I needed the city, interactions, experiences, emotions to draw from. Living in New York I was constantly bombarded with all these, so inspiration came easy. When Covid took that all away, I found it hard to hold onto inspiration and it was much more fleeting.

You’re now in Los Angeles. How did you end up there?

I moved to Los Angeles from New York to work on a record we were supposed to do there, in March of 2019 – then Covid hit!

What do you love about Los Angeles?

It has such a rich musical history – the Hollywood Hills and Sunset Boulevard have so many stories that I’m always aching to hear. Also the weather, and similarities to Cape Town really speak to me.

When you return to South Africa, what’s the first thing you do?

I go to Nandos – a kind of ritual for me.

SMR Days is all about travel. What is your favourite place to visit in the world, and why?

I think at the moment Mexico tops my list – other than South Africa. I love the country, the cuisine, the people. Oaxaca is probably my favourite city, filled with artists, musicians and just such a creative vibe.

Where’s a place you haven’t been but you really want to?

Tokyo is definitely my next trip.

What will we always find packed in your suitcase?

My cameras and plenty of 35mm film.

Do you have a go-to outfit for travelling?

Not really, but comfort is a must. There will definitely be an SMR Days piece with me next week when I travel back to LA!

Who is your favourite person to travel with?

My girlfriend Zandra, she loves to plan everything out while I mostly wing it. Makes for a great combination.

Where do you feel most free? Where do you go to escape?

Getting in a car and taking a long road trip, nothing really planned, just a general direction. Music, camera, and maybe a travel companion. The road has always evoked that feeling of escape and freedom.

An SMR Day in Cape Town with Cornelis Hundersmarck

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An SMR Day in Cape Town
with Cornelis Hundersmarck